Comparison
Cagrilintide vs. GHRP-6
Two peptides side-by-side — identity, evidence base, legal status and known adverse events.
Identity
Category
Metabolic
Growth
CAS no.
1415456-99-3
87616-84-0
Molecular weight
4253.7 g/mol
873.02 g/mol
Half-life
168 h
0.4 h
Sequence
KCNTATCATQRLANFLVRSSNNLGPVLPPTNVGSNTYHis-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2Mechanism of action
Cagrilintide
Cagrilintide binds amylin receptors (AMY1, AMY3, formed by the calcitonin receptor plus RAMP proteins). Activation delays gastric emptying, inhibits postprandial glucagon secretion and modulates central satiety signalling via area postrema neurons. An acyl modification enables albumin binding and thereby weekly dosing.
GHRP-6
GHRP-6 is a high-affinity agonist of the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR-1a) — the same receptor later shown to bind the endogenous hormone ghrelin. The identification of GHRP-6 as a pharmacological anchor led to cloning of GHSR in 1996 and the discovery of ghrelin itself in 1999. GHRP-6 stimulates pituitary GH secretion via a pathway independent of GHRH and can be combined synergistically with GHRH. Via GHSR in the hypothalamus it additionally activates NPY/AgRP neurons, producing an orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) effect in animal models.
Evidence base
Highest evidence
Human RCT
Human trial
Studies
4
4
of which in humans
3
2
Effects recorded
3
4
Open conflicts
0
1
Documented adverse events
1
2