Growth Hormone Secretagogue (GHS)
Definition
A growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) is any compound that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland. GHS peptides typically act through the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) or growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) to amplify pulsatile GH release. Major categories include GHRP peptides (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, ipamorelin) that act on the ghrelin receptor and GHRH analogs (sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295) that act on the GHRH receptor.
Related Terms
Related Compounds
Ipamorelin
An in-depth review of Ipamorelin, a highly selective growth hormone secretagogue pentapeptide, covering its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, research applications in GH release, bone density, muscle growth, and safety profile.
Read monographSermorelin
An in-depth review of Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29), a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog, covering its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, safety profile, research applications in GH stimulation, anti-aging, and pituitary function preservation.
Read monographTesamorelin
An in-depth review of Tesamorelin, a modified GHRH analog with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification, covering its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, safety profile, research applications in visceral fat reduction, lipodystrophy, liver health, and cognitive function.
Read monographCJC-1295 no DAC / Ipamorelin Blend
An in-depth review of the CJC-1295 no DAC and Ipamorelin combination, examining the synergistic mechanisms of GHRH analog and ghrelin mimetic co-administration for enhanced growth hormone release, pharmacokinetics, dosing protocols, and safety profile.
Read monographGHRP-2
An in-depth scientific review of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (Pralmorelin/KP-102), covering its mechanism of action at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), pharmacokinetics, research applications in growth hormone secretion, appetite regulation, anti-inflammatory activity, and muscle-wasting attenuation, supported by peer-reviewed references.
Read monographGHRP-6
An in-depth review of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6, covering its mechanism of action via the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), research applications in growth hormone secretion, cardioprotection, wound healing, and neuroprotection, along with key published studies and pharmacokinetic data from human trials.
Read monographRelated Studies
Robust GH responses to GHRP-2 stimulation test in adolescents with obesity
Onuki T, Kato Y, Hasegawa T, et al. · Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism (2024)
Growth hormone-releasing hormone effects on brain gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in mild cognitive impairment and healthy aging
Stanley TL, Chen CY, Branch KL, et al. · JAMA Neurology (2015)
Pharmacokinetic study of growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in rats
Cabrales A, Gil J, Fernández E, et al. · European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2013)
Use of growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure
Cibrián D, Ajamieh H, Berlanga J, et al. · Clinical Science (2006)