GHRP-2 - 5MG

Log in to view pricing Apply for provider account
GHRP-2 - 5MG

Product Overview

GHRP-2 Clinical Effects

GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) that potently stimulates endogenous growth hormone (GH) release via a specific G-protein-coupled receptor at both the pituitary and hypothalamic levels, independent of GHRH structure or function.[1][2][3][4] GHRP-2 administration results in a marked, dose-dependent increase in both pulsatile and basal GH secretion, with a 7- to 10-fold augmentation of GH secretory burst mass and amplitude during continuous infusion, and a 4.5-fold increase in basal GH secretion.[5][6][7] These effects are observed across age groups, though attenuated in older adults and certain hyposecretory states.[2][3][6][8][9]

Muscle Growth and Recovery:

Chronic GHRP-2 administration elevates IGF-I and IGFBP-3/5 concentrations, supporting sustained activation of the somatotropic axis and increased lean body mass.[6][10] In animal models, GHRP-2 enhances muscle protein deposition by upregulating GHR, IGF-1, and IGF-1R mRNA expression in liver and skeletal muscle, and by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which is central to muscle protein synthesis.[11] These effects are associated with improved growth performance and muscle fiber hypertrophy in growth-retarded animals.[11] In humans, repeated GHRP-2 or GHRH administration increases lean body mass, though consistent improvements in physical function or recovery have not been robustly demonstrated in short-term studies.[12][10]

Fat Metabolism:

GHRP-2, like other GHS, is associated with reductions in body fat and improved body composition in both animal and human studies, primarily through sustained GH/IGF-I axis activation.[12][10] However, direct evidence for significant fat loss in humans is less robust than for muscle mass effects.

Energy Levels and Appetite:

GHRP-2 is a ghrelin receptor agonist and, in addition to stimulating GH, increases appetite and food intake in healthy adults, paralleling the effects of endogenous ghrelin.[13] This orexigenic effect may be relevant in catabolic or cachectic states.

Sleep Quality:

While GHRH has been shown to promote sleep, chronic treatment with short-acting GHRH or GHS (including GHRP-2) has not consistently improved sleep quality in clinical studies, possibly due to lack of sustained activity throughout the night.[12][10] There is no robust evidence that GHRP-2 directly improves sleep quality in humans.

Skin Elasticity and Anti-Aging:

The decline in GH/IGF-I with age is associated with reduced skin thickness and elasticity. GHRP-2 and other GHS can restore IGF-I to youthful ranges and increase lean body mass, but direct evidence for improvements in skin elasticity or reduction in wrinkles is lacking.[12][10] Theoretical anti-aging benefits are based on the ability of GHS to restore the somatotropic axis and improve body composition, but long-term clinical trials demonstrating anti-aging outcomes are not available.[12][10]

Safety and Tolerability:

GHRP-2 is generally well tolerated, with normal safety screening in clinical studies.[6] The GH-releasing effect is blunted in patients with pituitary stalk disconnection or Cushing’s syndrome, and partially reduced in obesity and hypothyroidism.[2][3][14][9] Desensitization may occur with continuous infusion, but intermittent dosing maintains efficacy.[2][3][6][8][4]

Clinical Applications:

GHRP-2 is used for provocative GH testing, management of certain GH-deficient states, and as a research tool for investigating GH axis physiology.[2][3][14][9][4] Its anabolic and metabolic effects may have utility in aging, short stature, and catabolic conditions, though long-term clinical benefit remains under investigation[[6][8]

References

  1. Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides and Their Analogs. Camanni F, Ghigo E, Arvat E. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. 1998;19(1):47-72. doi:10.1006/frne.1997.0158.
  2. Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides. Ghigo E, Arvat E, Muccioli G, Camanni F. European Journal of Endocrinology. 1997;136(5):445-60. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1360445.
  3. Orally Active Growth Hormone Secretagogues: State of the Art and Clinical Perspectives. Ghigo E, Arvat E, Camanni F. Annals of Medicine. 1998;30(2):159-68. doi:10.3109/07853899808999399.
  4. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides: A Comparison of the Growth Hormone Releasing Activities of GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in Rat Primary Pituitary Cells. Cheng J, Wu TJ, Butler B, Cheng K. Life Sciences. 1997;60(16):1385-92. doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(96)00655-8.
  5. Tripartite Neuroendocrine Activation of the Human Growth Hormone (GH) Axis in Women by Continuous 24-Hour GH-releasing Peptide Infusion: Pulsatile, Entropic, and Nyctohemeral Mechanisms. Shah N, Evans WS, Bowers CY, Veldhuis JD. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1999;84(6):2140-50. doi:10.1210/jcem.84.6.5687.
  6. Sustained Elevation of Pulsatile Growth Hormone (GH) Secretion and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I), IGF-binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and IGFBP-5 Concentrations During 30-Day Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion of GH-releasing Peptide-2 in Older Men and Women. Bowers CY, Granda R, Mohan S, et al. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2004;89(5):2290-300. doi:10.1210/jc.2003-031799.
  7. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2: A Phase I Study in Children. Pihoker C, Kearns GL, French D, Bowers CY. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1998;83(4):1168-72. doi:10.1210/jcem.83.4.4744.
  8. Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Response to Acute and Chronic Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2, Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone 1-44nh2 and in Combination in Older Men and Women With Decreased Growth Hormone Secretion. Bowers CY, Granda-Ayala R. Endocrine. 2001;14(1):79-86. doi:10.1385/ENDO:14:1:079.
  9. Robust Growth Hormone Responses to GH-releasing Peptide 2 in Adolescents. Onuki T, Hiroaki T, Sawano K, et al. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM. 2024;37(8):730-733. doi:10.1515/jpem-2024-0115.
  10. Potential Applications of GH Secretagogs in the Evaluation and Treatment of the Age-Related Decline in Growth Hormone Secretion. Merriam GR, Buchner DM, Prinz PN, Schwartz RS, Vitiello MV. Endocrine. 1997;7(1):49-52. doi:10.1007/BF02778062.
  11. Effects of GHRP-2 and Cysteamine Administration on Growth Performance, Somatotropic Axis Hormone and Muscle Protein Deposition in Yaks (Bos Grunniens) With Growth Retardation. Hu R, Wang Z, Peng Q, et al. PloS One. 2016;11(2):e0149461. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0149461.
  12. Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Growth Hormone Secretagogues in Normal Aging. Merriam GR, Schwartz RS, Vitiello MV. Endocrine. 2003;22(1):41-8. doi:10.1385/ENDO:22:1:41.
  13. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), Like Ghrelin, Increases Food Intake in Healthy Men. Laferrère B, Abraham C, Russell CD, Bowers CY. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2005;90(2):611-4. doi:10.1210/jc.2004-1719.
  14. Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 Stimulates GH Secretion in GH-deficient Patients With Mutated GH-releasing Hormone Receptor. Gondo RG, Aguiar-Oliveira MH, Hayashida CY, et al. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2001;86(7):3279-83. doi:10.1210/jcem.86.7.7694.

All information provided is for research purposes only.

ALL ARTICLES AND PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body. These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.