Growth Hormone Axis
Ipamorelin
Selective GHSR-1a agonist studied as a clean model of pulsatile GH release, with little change in cortisol, prolactin or ACTH.
Also known asNNC 26-0161
Identity
Residue chain
One bead per amino acid residue, N-terminus to C-terminus. Long chains are shown truncated.
- Molecular weight
- 711.9 Da
- Amino acid residues
- 5
- Half-life
- ~2 h
- CAS number
- 170851-70-4
Monograph
Specifications
- Research area
- Growth Hormone Axis
- Half-life
- ~2 h
- Molecular weight
- 711.9 Da
- Amino acid residues
- 5
- CAS number
- 170851-70-4
- Formula
- C₃₈H₄₉N₉O₅
- Sequence
- Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂
- Designation
- H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ (pentapeptide GHS)
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life
- ~2 h
- T-max
- ~30 min
- Route
- Subcutaneous (research use)
Receptor targets
- GHSR-1aSelective ghrelin-receptor agonist
- Anterior pituitary somatotrophsPulsatile GH release
Signalling cascade
- 1GHSR-1a binding
- 2Gq/PLC activation
- 3Ca²⁺ release
- 4Pulsatile GH secretion
- 5IGF-1 ↑
- Mechanism of action
- Selective GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a) agonist that stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary without significant elevation of cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH. Provides a clean model for studying GH pulse dynamics and downstream IGF-1 signaling.
- Storage and handling
- Refrigerate at 2–8 °C after reconstitution. The powder is stable at room temperature for up to 18 months.
Research focus
- 01Pulsatile GH release and GHSR-1a receptor pharmacology
- 02Anabolic signaling and lean mass regulation via IGF-1 axis
- 03Cortisol and prolactin independence in GH stimulation models
- 04Appetite modulation through ghrelin pathway interaction
- 05Body composition research in rodent models
Overview
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide and selective GHSR-1a agonist. It stimulates pulsatile GH release from the anterior pituitary without raising cortisol, prolactin or ACTH, which is why it is used to follow the GH axis and the IGF-1 response without those confounders.