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Emerging Research

Ipamorelin

Hormonal & Endocrine · ['NNC 26-0161']

A selective pentapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue studied for stimulating GH release through the ghrelin receptor with minimal effect on other hormones.

🔬 Research use only — not for human or veterinary use. K4 Elite does not provide dosing instructions.
Molecular Formula
C38H49N9O5
Molecular Weight
711.9 g/mol
PubChem
CID 9831659 ↗
Research Level
Emerging Research
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Ipamorelin chemical structure

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide developed as a selective growth-hormone secretagogue. It was designed to mimic the GH-releasing action of ghrelin while showing greater selectivity than earlier secretagogues in preclinical studies.

Research interest stems from reports that it stimulates growth-hormone release with comparatively little effect on cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH, distinguishing it within the secretagogue class in the models examined. This selectivity has made it a useful tool compound for studying GH secretion pathways.

It has also been investigated in gastrointestinal motility research, reflecting the broader physiology of ghrelin-receptor signaling.

Ipamorelin is an agonist at the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), the receptor for the endogenous peptide ghrelin, expressed in the pituitary and hypothalamus. Activation triggers intracellular signaling that promotes release of stored growth hormone from somatotroph cells.

Preclinical work reported that, unlike some related secretagogues, it stimulated GH without proportionate increases in ACTH or cortisol, a selectivity attributed to its receptor-binding profile.

  • Selective growth-hormone secretagogue characterization via the GHS-R1a receptor [1]
  • Comparative studies of hormone selectivity versus GHRP-6 and other secretagogues [1]
  • Investigation of postoperative ileus and gastrointestinal motility in animal and clinical models [2]
  • Study of bone and body-composition endpoints in rodent GH-axis models [3]
  • Exploration of ghrelin-receptor pharmacology as a research tool [1]
📋 How published studies were conducted — a research reference summarizing study designs from the literature. This is not usage, dosing, or administration guidance. K4 Elite does not provide dosing instructions; determining any research protocol is the sole responsibility of the qualified researcher.

Secretagogue selectivity (rat and swine) [1]: The compound's characterizing study administered ipamorelin to animals and measured plasma GH, ACTH, and cortisol, reporting robust GH release with minimal adrenal-axis activation compared with GHRP-6.

Postoperative ileus (clinical) [2]: A trial evaluated a ghrelin-receptor agonist related program for gut motility after abdominal surgery, measuring time-to-recovery endpoints of gastrointestinal function.

Bone metabolism (rat) [3]: Rodent studies dosed the peptide and measured GH, IGF-1, and bone-formation markers to assess effects on the GH axis and skeletal endpoints.

Combinations examined in the research literature. Descriptive only — not a recommendation to combine compounds.

CJC-1295 / SermorelinSynergistic
GHRH analogs studied in combination with ghrelin-receptor agonists where GH output was additive in models.
GhrelinCompatible
Endogenous agonist at the same GHS-R1a receptor that ipamorelin targets.
SomatostatinCaution
Physiologic suppressor of GH release opposing secretagogue effects in study conditions.
GHRP-6Neutral
Related secretagogue used as a comparator; studied for differing hormonal selectivity.
  1. Raun et al., Ipamorelin, a selective GH secretagogue (Eur J Endocrinol)
  2. Ghrelin receptor agonists and GI motility (review)
  3. Svensson et al., GH secretagogues and bone (J Endocrinol)
  4. PubChem CID 9831659 (Ipamorelin)
What is Ipamorelin?
It is a synthetic pentapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue that acts on the ghrelin receptor to stimulate GH release.
What makes it distinctive among secretagogues?
Preclinical studies reported it raises growth hormone with minimal effect on cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH, indicating a selective profile.
What receptor does it act on?
The growth-hormone secretagogue receptor GHS-R1a, the same receptor targeted by endogenous ghrelin.
What research has been done?
Work spans secretagogue selectivity characterization, gastrointestinal motility, and bone or body-composition endpoints in animal models.
Is this intended for human use?
No. This is a research-use-only reference. The material is not offered for human or veterinary consumption, diagnosis, or treatment.
Disclaimer: This profile summarizes published preclinical and laboratory research for reference only. It is not medical advice and makes no claim of safety or efficacy in humans. Determining any research protocol is the sole responsibility of the qualified researcher. Products are sold strictly for in-vitro research and have not been evaluated by the FDA.