Comparison
Exenatide vs. GHRP-6
Two peptides side-by-side — identity, evidence base, legal status and known adverse events.
Identity
Category
Metabolic
Growth
CAS no.
141758-74-9
87616-84-0
Molecular weight
4186.6 g/mol
873.02 g/mol
Half-life
2.4 h
0.4 h
Sequence
HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPSHis-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2Mechanism of action
Exenatide
Exenatide is a 39-amino-acid peptide with about 53% sequence homology to human GLP-1. A glycine substitution at position 2 prevents dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV cleavage and extends the half-life from native GLP-1 (minutes) to about 2.4 hours. GLP-1 receptor activation glucose-dependently stimulates insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon and delays gastric emptying.
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
5
4
of which in humans
4
2
Effects recorded
3
4
Open conflicts
1
1
Documented adverse events
2
2