GHRP-2
From
$36.99
$18.50
For Research Use Only
What's GHRP-2 Peptide
GHRP-2, also known as Pralmorelin, is a synthetic hexapeptide that belongs to the class of growth hormone secretagogues — compounds developed to mimic the activity of ghrelin, the body's natural hunger and growth hormone signal. In simpler terms, it is a small chain of amino acids that instructs the body to produce more of its own growth hormone naturally.
It was the first of the growth hormone secretagogues to be introduced, and is currently used as a research peptide for the assessment of growth hormone deficiency and secondary adrenal failure.
How Does It Work?
GHRP-2 stimulates the release of growth hormone by activating ghrelin receptors, promoting a pulsatile — or wave-like — release that closely mirrors how the body naturally produces growth hormone.
It functions as an agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), commonly referred to as the ghrelin receptor. Think of it like a key fitting into a lock — GHRP-2 fits the ghrelin receptor and switches on the signal to produce more growth hormone.
A landmark study by the University of Turin confirmed that GHRP-2 significantly stimulates growth hormone secretion more effectively than GHRP-6, with minimal effects on prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol levels — meaning it targets growth hormone specifically without significantly disrupting other hormones.
Quantity
Molecular Makeup
Chemical Profile
- Molecular Formula: C₄₅H₅₅N₉O₆
- Molecular Weight: 817.97 g/mol
- Alternate Name: Pralmorelin
Research Insights
Growth Hormone Secretion:
GHRP-2 significantly enhances GH release. Studies report up to a 181-fold spike in GH, a 47-fold increase in pulsatile secretion over a 2.5-hour period, and sustained elevations in IGF-1.
- Appetite Stimulation:
Murine models demonstrate a ~36% increase in food intake compared to controls, with elevated energy intake per kilogram of body weight and increased GH area-under-curve metrics.
- Muscle Preservation:
In thermal injury models, GHRP-2 reduces proinflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, MuRF-1, MAFbx) and muscle protein degradation, indicating a muscle-sparing effect and potential for supporting weight gain.
- Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Actions:
GHRP-2 shows affinity for CD36, limiting OxLDL uptake. In ApoE(-/-) mice, chronic exposure elevates IGF-I by 1.2–1.6-fold, reduces circulating interferon-gamma by ~66%, and lowers aortic superoxide production.
Vascular Gene Expression & Cytoprotection:
GHRP-2 reduces aortic 12/15-lipoxygenase gene expression by approximately 92% and downregulates interferon-gamma and macrophage migration inhibitory factor. In cultured aortic smooth muscle cells, it attenuates OxLDL-induced peroxide production, maintains IGF-I receptor expression, and potentially inhibits apoptosis. In macrophages, GHRP-2 diminishes lipid accumulation, highlighting its antioxidative and antiatherogenic properties.
Anti-inflammatory Activity:
In murine models of acute lung injury, GHRP-2 significantly reduces lung edema, neutrophil infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels by suppressing NF-κB activation, thereby mitigating inflammatory cascades.
GH Deficiency Diagnostics:
In GH deficiency models, following overnight fasting, GHRP-2 induces a reproducible GH peak within one hour of administration. Comparative studies reveal that in both normal and GH-deficient models (assessed via the insulin tolerance test), GHRP-2 alone—even when later combined with GHRH—elicits a marked GH secretion, affirming its utility as a diagnostic tool.
- Vascular Gene Expression & Cytoprotection:
GHRP-2 reduces aortic 12/15-lipoxygenase gene expression by approximately 92% and downregulates interferon-gamma and macrophage migration inhibitory factor. In cultured aortic smooth muscle cells, it attenuates OxLDL-induced peroxide production, maintains IGF-I receptor expression, and potentially inhibits apoptosis. In macrophages, GHRP-2 diminishes lipid accumulation, highlighting its antioxidative and antiatherogenic properties.
- Anti-inflammatory Activity:
In murine models of acute lung injury, GHRP-2 significantly reduces lung edema, neutrophil infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels by suppressing NF-κB activation, thereby mitigating inflammatory cascades.
- GH Deficiency Diagnostics:
In GH deficiency models, following overnight fasting, GHRP-2 induces a reproducible GH peak within one hour of administration. Comparative studies reveal that in both normal and GH-deficient models (assessed via the insulin tolerance test), GHRP-2 alone—even when later combined with GHRH—elicits a marked GH secretion, affirming its utility as a diagnostic tool.
- Hormonal Axis Modulation (Combination Studies):
In models of prolonged hypo-somatotropism, hypogonadism, and hypothyroidism, the co-administration of GHRP-2 with TRH and GnRH (administered hourly or every 90 minutes) produces the highest activation of the GH, TSH, and LH axes. This combination amplifies metabolic and endocrine responses beyond those achieved by GHRP-2 alone or with TRH.
Refrence
Asad Rahim, Stephen M. Shalet, in Growth Hormone Secretagogues, 1999. Does desensitization to growth hormone secretagogues occur? https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/pralmorelin
Chihara K, Shimatsu A, Hizuka N, Tanaka T, Seino Y, Katofor Y; KP-102 Study Group. A simple diagnostic test using GH-releasing peptide-2 in adult GH deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol. 2007 Jul;157(1):19-27. doi: 10.1530/EJE-07-0066. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17609397/
Veldhuis, J. D., Keenan, D. M., Bailey, J. N., Adeniji, A. M., Miles, J. M., & Bowers, C. Y. (2009). Novel relationships of age, visceral adiposity, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein concentrations to growth hormone (GH) releasing-hormone and GH releasing-peptide efficacies in men during experimental hypogonadal clamp. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 94(6), 2137–2143. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-0136
