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GHRP-2 research

What published studies found for GHRP-2: 7 papers, 5 in humans, with sample sizes and key results.

B
Some human evidence
Why: Small RCTs (33 critically ill men, 42 healthy men) confirm it raises GH, plus uncontrolled studies in short children; no controlled data for body composition.

GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) reliably raises GH in humans and has been validated as a diagnostic test for adult GH deficiency; therapeutic human data are limited to small, mostly uncontrolled studies in short children and short-term infusion trials in critically ill patients. Claims for body composition, recovery or performance have no controlled human evidence.

✓ 4 positive~ 1 mixed? 2 inconclusive

Human exposure in published trials is short-term (single doses to months); no long-term safety data exist.

US compounding: Not compoundable (Category 3). 503A Category 3 (nominated without adequate support) and on the 503B Category 2 safety list for injectable and nasal use: not compoundable from bulk. Status for every peptide.

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Reported side effects

Human studies

? Inconclusivehuman RCTEur J Endocrinol · 2010

Secretagogue type, sex-steroid milieu, and abdominal visceral adiposity individually determine secretagogue-stimulated cortisol secretion.

n = 42 humansDouble-blind placebo-controlled randomized study with secretagogue challenges (archival sera)5 hours of sampling per challenge

In 42 healthy men, an IV GHRP-2 dose raised peak cortisol (616 vs ~420 nmol/l with saline, GHRH or somatostatin), showing GHRP-2 is not GH-selective.

Key resultPeak cortisol 868 ± 27 nmol/l with triple stimulus vs 616 ± 42 with GHRP-2 vs 420 ± 21 for saline/SS/GHRH (secretagogue type P<0.001)
Studied
Healthy men given placebo, testosterone, testosterone + dutasteride, or testosterone + anastrozole
Compared with
Saline, GHRH, somatostatin
Main outcome
Stimulated cortisol secretion
Sample
42 healthy men in four sex-steroid groups
Authors' conclusion
Age, DHT concentrations, visceral fat and secretagogue type influence pulsatile cortisol secretion in men; ACTH and native ghrelin action need study.
Limitations
Analysis of archival sera; men only.
PubMed 20299490DOIFree full text
~ Mixedhuman RCTClin Endocrinol (Oxf) · 2002

The combined administration of GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), TRH and GnRH to men with prolonged critical illness evokes superior endocrine and metabolic effects compared to treatment with GHRP-2 alone.

33 men with prolonged critical illness randomized to placebo (7), GHRP-2 (9), GHRP-2 + TRH (9) or GHRP-2 + TRH + GnRH (8); 50 matched controls at baselineRandomized placebo-controlled trial5 days

In 33 critically ill men, 5 days of GHRP-2 infusion reactivated GH secretion and normalized IGF-I, but alone it did not reduce protein breakdown (ureagenesis) and it raised serum lactate and white cell count; combination with TRH and GnRH worked better.

Key resultOnly GnRH pulses with GHRP-2 + TRH infusion increased testosterone significantly (peak increase of + 312%); ureagenesis reduced by GHRP-2 + TRH + GnRH (P = 0.01) but not GHRP-2 alone
Studied
Men with prolonged critical illness
Compared with
Placebo, GHRP-2 alone, GHRP-2 + TRH
Main outcome
GH, TSH and LH secretion; IGF-I, thyroid hormones, testosterone, metabolic markers
Authors' conclusion
Coadministration of GHRP-2, TRH and GnRH reactivated the GH, TSH and LH axes and gave beneficial metabolic effects absent with GHRP-2 alone, underlining the value of correcting multiple hormonal deficits.
Limitations
Small groups (7 to 9 per arm).
PubMed 12030918DOI
✓ Positivehuman trialJ Endocrinol · 1997

Treatment effects of intranasal growth hormone releasing peptide-2 in children with short stature.

n = 15 humansOpen treatment study of intranasal GHRP-26 months (six children 18-24 months)

In 15 short children (uncontrolled), intranasal GHRP-2 for 6 months raised height velocity from 3.7 to 6.1 cm/year, sustained at 18-24 months in 6 children, without changing IGF-1; well tolerated.

Key resultHeight velocity rose from 3.7 ± 0.2 to 6.1 ± 0.3 cm/year at 6 months; GHBP rose from 439 ± 63 to 688 ± 48 pmol/l; no significant change in IGF-1 or IGFBP-3
Studied
Children with short stature (half GH deficient, half idiopathic)
Compared with
Pre-treatment height velocity
Main outcome
Height velocity, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, GHBP
Sample
15 children with short stature
Authors' conclusion
Intranasal GHRP-2 was well tolerated and produced a modest but significant increase in growth velocity.
Limitations
No control group; small sample.
PubMed 9390009DOI
✓ Positivehuman trialEur J Endocrinol · 2007

A simple diagnostic test using GH-releasing peptide-2 in adult GH deficiency.

77 healthy subjects and 58 patients with GH deficiencyDiagnostic validation study with a single IV 100 microg GHRP-2 dose2 hours of sampling

In 77 healthy adults and 58 GH-deficient patients, an IV GHRP-2 test separated the groups (peak GH 84.6 vs 1.36 µg/l) with good reproducibility, supporting its use as a diagnostic alternative to the insulin tolerance test.

Key resultPeak GH was 1.36 ± 2.60 microg/l in patients vs 84.6 ± 60.9 microg/l in healthy subjects (P<0.001); a 15 microg/l cut-off corresponded to 3 microg/l on the ITT
Studied
Healthy adults and patients with peak GH < 3 microg/l by insulin tolerance test
Compared with
Insulin tolerance test
Main outcome
Peak GH after GHRP-2 and diagnostic cut-off
Authors' conclusion
The GHRP-2 test was reproducible and mildly influenced by age and adiposity; severe GH deficiency could be diagnosed reliably with a 15 microg/l peak GH cut-off.
Limitations
Responses slightly lower in elderly and adiposity.
PubMed 17609397DOI
✓ Positivehuman trialJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 1998

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of growth hormone-releasing peptide-2: a phase I study in children.

Ten prepubertal children (nine boys, one girl)Phase I pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study, single 1 microg/kg IV dose2 hours of blood sampling

In 10 short prepubertal children, a single IV dose of GHRP-2 produced a predictable, significant GH rise; GHRP-2 half-life was about 0.55 h.

Key resultGHRP-2 elimination half-life 0.55 ± 0.14 h and Cmax 7.4 ± 3.8 ng/mL; GH Cmax 50.7 ± 17.2 ng/mL; EC50 1.09 ± 0.59 ng/mL
Studied
Prepubertal children with short stature (mean age 7.7 ± 2.4 years)
Main outcome
GHRP-2 and GH pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Authors' conclusion
GHRP-2 produced a predictable, significant rise in plasma GH; defining EC50 will allow PK/PD evaluation of extravascular dosing regimens in children.
Limitations
Single dose, small sample, no control.
PubMed 9543135DOI

Reviews

? InconclusivereviewSex Med Rev · 2018

The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues.

Review of clinical studies (number not stated)Literature review

Review of human GH secretagogue studies: few long-term controlled studies exist; they appear well tolerated but may raise blood glucose via reduced insulin sensitivity, and long-term safety (incl. cancer) is unknown.

Studied
Humans receiving GH secretagogues (GH-releasing peptides, ibutamoren)
Main outcome
Safety and efficacy of GH secretagogues
Authors' conclusion
Few long-term controlled studies exist; GHSs are well tolerated with some concern for raised blood glucose via reduced insulin sensitivity, and long-term safety, including cancer, needs study.
Limitations
Few long-term, rigorously controlled studies.
PubMed 28400207DOIFree full text

Animal & lab studies

✓ PositiveanimalArzneimittelforschung · 2004

Pharmacological characteristics of KP-102 (GHRP-2), a potent growth hormone-releasing peptide.

AnimalsIn vivo and in vitro pharmacology of KP-102 (GHRP-2)Three weeks of administration in the growth study

In rats and dogs, GHRP-2 released GH more potently than GHRH in conscious animals and accelerated growth over 3 weeks, but also stimulated ACTH and corticosterone.

Studied
Conscious and anesthetized rats, hypophysectomized and median eminence-lesioned rats, dogs, cultured rat pituitary cells
Compared with
GHRH
Main outcome
GH release
Authors' conclusion
KP-102 (GHRP-2) showed specific GH-releasing activity with slight ACTH secretion, and its activity was stable compared with exogenous GHRH.
Limitations
Animal and in vitro study.
PubMed 15646370DOI

Verdicts are judged on each paper's own main outcome; grades run from A (strong human evidence) to D (little or none). Details are read from the abstracts, and figures are reproduced only from openly licensed full texts. Not medical advice.