Growth-hormone stimulation

Synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 176-191). Originally developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as an oral obesity therapy; all phase-2 trials missed the primary endpoint. No marketing approval. The Australian TGA Schedule 4 classification is often misunderstood.

Human RCTNo clinically relevant weight reduction in four phase-2 trials versus placebo in adults with obesity

CJC-1295

Growth · 3 studies

Long-acting synthetic GHRH analogue modified for albumin binding (DAC). Stimulates endogenous growth-hormone release. Pharmacodynamic effect established in small human studies; clinical endpoint trials are missing.

Human trialIncrease in growth-hormone level after administration

GHRP-2

Synthetic hexapeptide of the GH secretagogue family. Approved in Japan as GHRP Kaken as a diagnostic test for GH deficiency. Not available as a medicine outside Japan.

Human trialRobust acute GH rise after single intravenous or subcutaneous administration documented in healthy volunteers and in GH-deficient patients

GHRP-6

Synthetic hexapeptide that founded the class of growth-hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs). Cyril Bowers identified GHRP-6 in the late 1970s as the first orally and parenterally active GH secretagogue with no structural similarity to GHRH. Never approved as a medicine; downstream analogs (GHRP-2, hexarelin, ipamorelin) were pursued clinically.

Human trialRobust acute GH rise after single intravenous or subcutaneous administration documented in healthy volunteers and in GH-deficient patients
Human trialSynergistic GH response in combination with GHRH documented — peak values exceed the sum of individual administrations

Hexarelin

Synthetic hexapeptide of the growth-hormone secretagogue (GHRP) family. In the 1990s investigated as an acromegaly diagnostic and for GH deficiency. Not an approved medicine.

Human trialAcute rise of serum GH and IGF-1 after single dose observed in healthy volunteers and GH-deficient patients
Animal modelCardiac protective effect in ischaemia-reperfusion models in rats documented (reduction of infarct size)

Ipamorelin

Synthetic pentapeptide and selective growth-hormone secretagogue. Developed at Novo Nordisk in the 1990s as a pentapeptide GHRP successor; clinical development was discontinued after phase 2 (post-operative ileus).

MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)

Human trialSelective GH stimulation without significant rise in ACTH/cortisol/prolactin documented in phase-1 studies in healthy volunteers

Animal model

Synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal E-domain of the IGF-1 splice variant IGF-1Ec. Described in preclinical studies as a 'mechano-induced' skeletal muscle repair factor. No marketing approval; clinical use largely confined to the black market.

In vitroActivation of muscle satellite cells and enhanced myoblast proliferation documented in cell-culture studies

Sermorelin

Growth · 5 studies

Synthetic analogue of the first 29 amino acids of human GHRH. Stimulates pulsatile growth-hormone secretion from the pituitary. Formerly FDA-approved as Geref Diagnostic, now withdrawn in many markets — compounding and research use dominate.

Human RCTStimulation of growth-hormone release
Human trialUse as a diagnostic provocation test for GH deficiency

Tesamorelin

Growth · 2 studies

Stabilised GHRH analog (growth-hormone-releasing hormone). FDA-approved in 2010 as Egrifta for reduction of abdominal lipohypertrophy in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Not approved for the general population.