Science Library · Selective GH secretagogue

Ipamorelin the science.

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide described in research as one of the first highly selective growth-hormone secretagogues. It activates the ghrelin (GHS) receptor to stimulate GH release while, in preclinical models, showing little effect on other pituitary hormones. The findings below come largely from cell and animal studies; dedicated human evidence is limited.

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5 aa
Peptide length
GHS-R1a
Primary target
Preclinical
Evidence stage
Rodent & cell
Model systems
Ipamorelin research vial

How it works

Mechanism at a glance

Compound
Ipamorelin
Action
Selectively agonizes GHS-R1a
Effect
Stimulates GH release
Studied for
GH-secretagogue models

Evidence to date

Evidence to date: largely preclinical; dedicated human evidence is limited.

What it is

Ipamorelin is a synthetic five-amino-acid peptide in the growth-hormone-releasing-peptide family. Its defining feature in the research literature is selectivity: it activates the growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) to evoke GH release while, in preclinical studies, producing minimal release of cortisol, prolactin, or other pituitary hormones — a contrast with earlier, less selective GHRPs.

This selectivity is the central research interest, making ipamorelin a useful tool for isolating GHS-receptor-driven GH release from confounding hormonal effects. It is an investigational compound, not an approved medicine.

The pathway under study: the ghrelin (GHS) receptor

Ipamorelin research is organized around selective GHS-receptor activation:

  • GHS-R1a activation — binding the ghrelin receptor on pituitary somatotrophs is studied for how it triggers GH secretion.
  • Hormonal selectivity — investigators examine why ipamorelin evokes GH release with minimal cortisol or prolactin response in preclinical models.
  • GHRH synergy — combined GHS- and GHRH-receptor activation is studied for an amplified GH response.

What research has explored

Ipamorelin literature is largely preclinical, concentrated in rodent and cell models:

  • Selectivity characterization (1998). A study in the European Journal of Endocrinology described ipamorelin as the first selective GH secretagogue, reporting potent GH release with minimal effect on other pituitary hormones in animal models.
  • Receptor & tissue models. Subsequent preclinical work examined GHS-receptor binding and effects in tissue models such as bone.

These are findings in animals and cells. Dedicated human clinical evidence for ipamorelin is limited.

Current state of the evidence

The ipamorelin evidence base is predominantly preclinical, characterized chiefly in animal and cell models; dedicated human clinical-trial data is limited. No human safety, dosing, or efficacy is established here. Ipamorelin is supplied strictly as a research material for laboratory investigation.

Compound Snapshot

At a glance

Identity

What is Ipamorelin?

Type
Synthetic pentapeptide (GHRP family)
Amino acids
5
Distinguishing feature
Selective GH release (minimal off-target hormones)
Primary target
Growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a)
Research family
GH secretagogue
Use classification
Research Use Only
PubChem Database

Evidence base

Research maturity

Preclinical Animal & in vitro Limited human data
Maturity Largely preclinical Rodent and cell-model literature characterizing selective GH release; limited dedicated human data.
Translation Not established in humans Preclinical findings do not establish human safety, dosing, or benefit.

Sources & References

Peer-reviewed research and database records

European Journal of Endocrinology / PubMed

Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue

1998 · PMID 9849822 · DOI 10.1530/eje.0.1390552 View Source

PubChem

Ipamorelin compound search

NIH PubChem lookup for molecular identity and structure records. View Source

PubMed

Ipamorelin literature search

NCBI PubMed index for primary papers, reviews, and PMID-linked records. View Source

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. These products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a therapeutic claim.

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