Growth hormone-releasing peptide 1

Growth Hormone Secretagogue / Synthetic HexapeptideRx: ResearchCompound: Research

Also known as: Ala-His-D-βNal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, GH-releasing peptide 1, GHRP-1

Educational Only — Not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before using any peptide.

Summary

GHRP-1 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 1) is the first synthetic growth hormone secretagogue developed, originally by Cyril Bowers and colleagues in the 1980s. It is a Met-enkephalin-derived hexapeptide that potently stimulates GH release through ghrelin receptor agonism. It has never advanced beyond research use and has no approved clinical indication. It served as the prototypical template for the subsequent development of GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and other GHS peptides.

Mechanism of Action

Synthetic hexapeptide that acts as a ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist, stimulating pituitary somatotrophs to release growth hormone via a mechanism distinct from GHRH; also weakly activates GHRH pathways and may suppress somatostatin tone.

Routes of Administration

IntravenousSubcutaneous

Goals & Uses

  • Study of GH secretory mechanismsBasic ScienceHigh
  • IGF-1 elevationMetabolic / HormonalLow
  • Growth hormone stimulationEndocrine / HormonalModerate

Contraindications

  • Active malignancyOncologyHighUse caution or avoid depending on agent and context
  • Acromegaly or gigantismEndocrineHigh
  • Diabetic retinopathy or uncontrolled diabetesMetabolicModerate

Adverse Effects

  • Injection site reactionsLocalCommon
  • Water retention / edemaFluid BalanceUncommon
  • Elevated cortisol and prolactinEndocrineCommon
  • Increased appetite / hungerGastrointestinal / MetabolicCommon
  • GH-related paresthesiasNeurologicalUncommon

Drug Interactions

  • GlucocorticoidsLow
  • Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide)Moderate
  • Insulin / antidiabetic agentsModerate

Population Constraints

  • PregnancyReproductive SafetyAbsolute
  • Pediatric patientsAgeRelative
  • Patients with pituitary tumorsOncologic / EndocrinologicAbsolute
  • Elderly patientsAgeRelative

Regulatory Status

  • European UnionUnapprovedNot authorized by EMA; no approved indications.
  • United StatesUnapprovedNot FDA approved; research/investigational use only. Not a scheduled substance under DEA but unapproved for human therapeutic use.
  • United KingdomUnapprovedNot authorized by MHRA; research use only.

Not approved by any regulatory authority (FDA, EMA, MHRA). Strictly a research compound used in preclinical and early clinical studies. Not scheduled as a controlled substance in most jurisdictions but is banned in sport by WADA.

Evidence & Sources

No sources recorded yet.

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