Recovery research fieldbook Evidence, not treatment advice
Recovery archive

Published recovery field note

What is Ipamorelin and how does it work according to research

Ipamorelin is a peptide that stimulates growth hormone release and acts selectively without increasing cortisol and prolactin levels. For research and scientific purposes.

Context first

Study findings do not automatically establish clinical benefit, safety, dosing, or suitability for an individual.

Ipamorelin or NNC 26-0161, a polypeptide hormone, is a growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin mimetic and analogue developed by Novo Nordisk.

Ipamorelin belongs to the most recent generation of GHRPs from the mid 1990s and causes significant release of growth hormone by itself, due both to its suppression of somatostatin (an antagonist to GHRH) and stimulation of release of GH from the anterior pituitary, similar to GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 which are compounds from the same class (growth hormone releasing peptides). The cells that produce and release GH are known as somatotropes. Ipamorelin acts synergistically when applied during a native GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) pulse or when co-administered with GHRH or a GHRH analogue such as Sermorelin or GRF 1-29 (growth releasing factor, amino 1-29).

The synergy comes both due to the suppression of somatostatin and the fact that ipamorelin increases GH release per-somatotrope, while GHRH increases the number of somatotropes releasing GH. There is also a secondary effect of neuronal excitation in the hypothalamus caused by ipamorelin, which lasts for approximately 3 hours after application, similar to GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.

Research shows.

Ipamorelin has a unique property among the GHRP class of peptides. That property is known as selectiveness. Whereas GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 cause a release and increase in cortisol and prolactin levels, ipamorelin only selectively releases GH at any dose.

Warning

THE GOODS OFFERED BY THE SELLER IS INTENDED FOR SCIENTIFIC AND DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES ONLY. The goods offered by the Seller include chemical substances that shall not be used as a drug, medicine, active substance, medical aid, cosmetic product, a substance for production of a cosmetic product neither for human consumption that is any food or food supplement or otherwise similarly used on humans or animals.

References / Links

Bowers, C. Y., Momany, F., Reynolds, G. A., Hong, A., Chang, D., & Chang, K. (1996). Ipamorelin, a novel pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue: comparative studies with GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 in vitro and in vivo. Endocrinology, 137(2), 535–543. PubMed

Raun, K., Hansen, B. S., Johansen, N. L., Thøgersen, H., Madsen, K., Ankersen, M., & Andersen, P. H. (1998). Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology, 139(5), 552–561. PubMed

Johansen, N. L., Raun, K., Hansen, B. S., Thøgersen, H., Madsen, K., Ankersen, M., & Andersen, P. H. (1999). Pharmacological profile of ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology, 141(2), 180–189. PubMed

Ghigo, E., Arvat, E., Giordano, R., & Camanni, F. (1997). Growth hormone–releasing peptides. European Journal of Endocrinology, 136(5), 445–460. PubMed

Connected topics

Follow this recovery question