Ipamorelin

Know your compound

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂) is a synthetic pentapeptide GH secretagogue that acts at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary somatotrophs. Unlike first-generation secretagogues, its selectivity profile dissociates GH release from ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin axes.

In the original characterisation study, Ipamorelin produced GH pulses comparable in magnitude to GHRP-6 while leaving cortisol and prolactin secretion statistically unchanged — a selectivity profile not previously demonstrated in a GH secretagogue. Researchers also employ it in gastrointestinal motility models, where ghrelin-receptor agonism has been associated with accelerated gut recovery in postoperative rodent preparations.

• Selective GH release with no cortisol or prolactin co-elevation in rat models (Raun et al., 1998)
• Stimulated longitudinal bone growth in rats at repeated dosing (Johansen et al., 1999)
• Accelerated GI motility recovery in a rodent postoperative-ileus model (Venkova et al., 2009)