Hepatocyte growth factor

Hepatocyte growth factor has been studied in 12 papers since 2012: 1 observational study in people, 5 in animals, 6 in cells; 2 in the past year. Its furthest trials in people are at phase 3. The newest story, Oct 30, 2026: “Liver cell patterns shifted with age and insulin resistance in mice”.

InterventionPhase 3

12 papers study it7 findingsUpdated May 9, 2026

MeSH

See all 12

None of its findings points the other way.

5 independent labs in 4 countries
1 trial, none about aging

Funders: China Medical University Hospital and others
1 of 1 trial sponsored by its developers

Humans1
Animals5
Cells6

What did studies of Hepatocyte growth factor find?

Studies of Hepatocyte growth factor measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are insulin sensitivity (1 study), pericentral zone 3 hepatocytes (1) and myotube thickness (1).

Insulin sensitivity

upin mice1

1 study

Hepatocyte growth factor improves insulin sensitivity in mice (insulin-resistant aged mice).
“Treating insulin-resistant aged mice with HGF reversed zone 3 contraction and improved insulin sensitivity.”
Animalsinsulin-resistant aged mice
Liver cell patterns shifted with age and insulin resistance in mice
Metabolism: clinical and experimentalMay 9, 2026

Pericentral zone 3 hepatocytes

upin mice1

1 study

Hepatocyte growth factor increases pericentral zone 3 hepatocytes in mice (insulin-resistant aged mice).
“Treating insulin-resistant aged mice with HGF reversed zone 3 contraction and improved insulin sensitivity.”
Animalsinsulin-resistant aged miceliver
Liver cell patterns shifted with age and insulin resistance in mice
Metabolism: clinical and experimentalMay 9, 2026

Myotube thickness

downin human cells1

1 study

Hepatocyte growth factor decreases myotube thickness in vitro in primary human myotubes.
“In vitro, IL-1α, GDF-15, and HGF significantly reduced myotube thickness, nuclear fusion index and perturbed metabolism (increased glycolysis, impaired oxidative phosphorylation).”
Cellsin vitro in primary human myotubes
Systemic Drivers and Molecular Mechanisms of Sarcopenia in Aetiology-Specific End-Stage Liver Disease
Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscleApr 27, 2026

Skeletal muscle regeneration

upin mice1

1 study

Hepatocyte growth factor improves skeletal muscle regeneration in aged mice and macrophage-depleted young mice.
“Administration of exogenous HGF to aged mice and macrophage-depleted young mice partially rescued the impaired muscle regeneration.”
Animalsin aged mice and macrophage-depleted young miceskeletal muscle
Macrophage Subpopulation Promotes Skeletal Muscle Regeneration Through HGF/MET Signaling-Mediated Skeletal Muscle Stem Cell Proliferation
Aging cellMar 25, 2025

Cellular senescence

downin pig cells1

1 study

Hepatocyte growth factor decreases cellular senescence in pig cells.
“reduced the senescent cells and reprogrammed gene expression profiles”
Cells
Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on porcine mammary cell growth and senescence
BioMedicineMar 1, 2023

Trial sponsors

Kringle Pharma
Company1 trialPhase 325 people

Funding

2 grants since 2018

National Institute on Aging$172KUS Department of Veterans Affairs

Latest

2 papers in 12 months

MetabolismMay 12

Liver cell patterns shifted with age and insulin resistance in mice

In five 20-month-old male mice, two weeks of a signaling protein reversed one liver-cell shift and improved insulin sensitivity compared with five controls.In five 20-month-old male mice, two weeks of a signaling protein reversed one liver-cell shift and improved insulin sensitivity compared with five controls.

Experiments in miceInsulin resistance

Paper

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and MuscleApr 27