Growth Hormone Peptides
Growth-hormone compounds are secretagogues and growth-hormone-releasing-hormone (GHRH) analogs studied for how they interact with the pituitary and the growth-hormone and IGF-1 axis. They act on the body to release its own growth hormone rather than supplying the hormone directly, and they differ mainly in selectivity and half-life.
20 compounds
Ipamorelin
A selective ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist pentapeptide that stimulates pituitary growth hormone release with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin.
CJC-1295
with DAC · mod GRF 1-29
A synthetic growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that binds pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate growth hormone secretion. The DAC (drug affinity complex) version binds albumin for a much longer half-life than the unmodified peptide.
Sermorelin
Geref · GHRH 1-29
A synthetic peptide corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone that binds pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate endogenous growth hormone secretion. Previously marketed (Geref) and used in diagnostic testing.
MK-677
Ibutamoren · Nutrobal
An orally active, non-peptide ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that produces sustained elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1. Its long half-life supports once-daily oral use.
GHRP-2
Pralmorelin
A synthetic ghrelin-mimetic hexapeptide (pralmorelin) that activates the growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate pituitary growth hormone release; used diagnostically in some countries.
GHRP-6
The original synthetic ghrelin-mimetic hexapeptide that activates the growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate pituitary growth hormone release; it also strongly stimulates appetite.
Hexarelin
A synthetic ghrelin-mimetic hexapeptide and potent GHS-R1a agonist, structurally related to GHRP-6, that stimulates pituitary growth hormone release; it also interacts with cardiac CD36 receptors in research settings.
Macimorelin
Macrilen · AEZS-130
An orally administered ghrelin receptor agonist approved as a diagnostic agent. It stimulates growth hormone release so the response can be measured when adult growth hormone deficiency is being assessed. It is a diagnostic test, not a treatment.
GHRP-1
Growth hormone-releasing peptide-1
A synthetic growth hormone secretagogue peptide from the first generation of GHRPs, described in the endocrinology literature. Little compound-specific human data is published compared with the later GHRPs.
Tabimorelin
NN703 · NNC 26-0703
An orally active ghrelin receptor ligand studied in clinical pharmacology trials as a growth hormone secretagogue. Its development did not lead to approval.
Anamorelin
ONO-7643 · RC-1291
An orally administered ghrelin receptor agonist studied in trials for cancer-related anorexia and cachexia. Not FDA approved.
Octreotide
Sandostatin · Octreotide acetate
A synthetic somatostatin analog approved for acromegaly and for symptoms associated with certain neuroendocrine tumours. It suppresses growth hormone release, the opposite direction to the secretagogues in this category.
Lanreotide
Somatuline Depot · Lanreotide acetate
A long-acting somatostatin analog approved for acromegaly and for certain neuroendocrine tumours. Its extended-release formulation gives it one of the longest dosing intervals of any peptide in this library.
Pegvisomant
Somavert · B2036-PEG
A pegylated growth hormone receptor antagonist approved for acromegaly. It blocks the receptor rather than the hormone, which is the opposite mechanism to every secretagogue in this category, and it is the reason IGF-1 rather than GH is used to follow the response.
Mod GRF 1-29
CJC-1295 without DAC · Modified GRF(1-29) · Sermorelin analog
The 1-29 fragment of growth hormone releasing hormone carrying four amino acid substitutions for stability, without the drug affinity complex that extends the related CJC-1295. It is the shorter-acting member of that pair, which is the reason the two are catalogued separately. Not approved for human use.
IGF-1 DES
DES(1-3)IGF-1 · des(1-3)IGF-I
A truncated form of insulin-like growth factor 1 missing the first three N-terminal amino acids, a change that lowers its affinity for the IGF binding proteins that normally hold the full-length hormone. Characterised in laboratory studies. Not approved for human use.
Follistatin
FST · Activin-binding protein
A binding protein that acts as a natural antagonist of activin and of myostatin, studied for that role in muscle and reproductive biology. An endogenous protein, not a marketed product.
ACE-031
ActRIIB-Fc · Ramatercept
A soluble form of the activin receptor type IIB fused to an antibody Fc region, designed to bind myostatin and related ligands before they reach the receptor. Studied in early clinical trials that were later discontinued. Not approved.
GDF-11
Growth differentiation factor 11 · BMP-11
A member of the TGF-beta superfamily closely related to myostatin, studied for its role in muscle, cardiac and metabolic biology and debated in the ageing literature. An endogenous protein, not a marketed product.
MGF
PEG-MGF · Mechano Growth Factor · IGF-1Ec
Mechano Growth Factor, a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1 known as IGF-1Ec in humans, expressed in muscle after mechanical loading. Its distinct C-terminal E-domain peptide is the part examined in the satellite-cell literature. PEG-MGF is a pegylated synthetic version of that peptide. Research material, not approved for human use.
Browse other classes
Educational reference only, compiled from public sources. Not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a dosing recommendation, and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds listed are research materials not approved for human use. Consult a qualified professional.