Comparison
GHRP-6 vs. Hexarelin
Two peptides side-by-side — identity, evidence base, legal status and known adverse events.
Identity
Category
Growth
Growth
CAS no.
87616-84-0
140703-51-1
Molecular weight
873.02 g/mol
887.05 g/mol
Half-life
0.4 h
0.9 h
Sequence
His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2Mechanism of action
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.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a synthetic analog of the GHRP-6 family binding both the GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a) and CD36. GHSR activation in the pituitary releases pulsatile growth hormone. Via CD36 in endothelium and myocardium, cardioprotective effects have been described in animal studies.
Evidence base
Highest evidence
Human trial
Human trial
Studies
4
4
of which in humans
2
3
Effects recorded
4
3
Open conflicts
1
0
Documented adverse events
2
1