Leu-enkephalin vs TFF3
Head-to-head comparison of Leu-enkephalin (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu) and TFF3 (Trefoil Factor 3 (intestinal trefoil factor)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
Research Score
| Property | Leu-enkephalin | TFF3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pain Management | Gastrointestinal |
| Full Name | Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu | Trefoil Factor 3 (intestinal trefoil factor) |
| Molecular Weight | 555.63 Da | 6370 Da |
| Half-Life | 1-5 minutes in plasma | unknown; likely short in circulation |
| Amino Acids | 5 | 59 |
| Typical Dose | 0.1-5 ug per animal | research-only; model-dependent microgram to milligram ranges |
| Route | Intrathecal / intracerebroventricular | Oral/Intrarectal |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 1000 | 70 |
| Research Status | Pre-clinical | Pre-clinical |
Leu-enkephalin Benefits
- ✓delta-opioid activity
- ✓endogenous analgesic model
- ✓receptor-selective pharmacology
- ✓nociception pathway research
TFF3 Benefits
- ✓epithelial-restitution
- ✓mucus-support
- ✓wound-healing
- ✓barrier-stability
Leu-enkephalin Dosing
Intrathecal 0.1-5 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.1-2 ug per animal|In vitro 1-100 nM
TFF3 Dosing
preclinical dosing varies widely by model|local or systemic administration|repeated dosing for inflammatory injury studies
Leu-enkephalin Side Effects
- ⚠sedation
- ⚠constipation-like opioid effects
- ⚠very short plasma stability
TFF3 Side Effects
- ⚠limited human dosing data
- ⚠protein stability issues
- ⚠potential immunogenicity with exogenous use
Research Overview
Leu-enkephalin
Leu-enkephalin is a standard tool in opioid receptor and pain-transmission research because it helps distinguish delta- from mu-preferring signaling. Its research value is high, but its clinical utility is limited by rapid enzymatic breakdown and delivery challenges.
TFF3
TFF3 is a well-established mucosal repair factor in the literature, especially in the context of intestinal injury and inflammation. Experimental studies support a role in accelerating restitution and protecting the epithelial surface in gut disease models.
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