GHRP-2 is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue that binds to the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It has been shown in research trials to improve muscle growth, regulate the immune system, and improve sleep cycles. GHRP-2 research has shown that it has oral bio-activity.
What is GHRP-2?
GHRP-2 (aka pralmorelin) is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue
known to bind to the ghrelWgrowth normone secretagogue receptor. It was the
first of the growth hormone secretagogues to be introduced and is currently
marketed as a test peptide for the assessment of growth hormone deficiency
and secondary adrenal failure. GHRP-2 has been investigated in stage II
clinical trials for the assessment of short stature and is under active research
for its effects on appetite, muscle growth, the immune system, and sleep cycles
GHRP-2 is orally and sublingually active, so it does not have to be injected to
have its effects.
GHRP-2 Structure
Sequence: D-Ala-D-2Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys
Molecular Formula: C45H,N06
Molecular Weight: 817.9749 g/mol
PubChem CID: 6918245
CAS Number. 158861-67-7
Code Names: KP-102, GPA-748, WAY-GPA-748
GHRP-2 Effects
1. Protects and Enhances Muscle Structure
Research in Yaks indicates that GHRP-2 can boost muscle growth in ü'0 ways: increased protein
deposition and decreased protein degradation. The research showed that GHRP-2 can overcome natural
grovvth plateaus that occur in yaks due to food deprivation, disease, and adverse environmental conditions
(e.g. The most profound finding from this study is that GHRP-2 reduces muscle atrophy by
inactivating atrogin-l and MuRF1, proteins that control the muscle degradation pathway[2]. There is hope
that these findings could be used to reduce the catabolism common in chronic illnesses like autoimmune
disease, cancer, and more.
Of course, by activating growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I, GHRP-2 helps to boost muscle
protein deposition. The combined effect of reducing degradation and enhancing deposition is that GHRP-2
encourages the development of lean body mass even in adverse conditionsP].
2. Stimulates Appetite
GHRP-2 has been shown to boost food intake141, [51. Though this may not seem acutely important, appetite
stimulation in the setting of chronic disease is an important part of overall health care. The ability to easily
and reliably stimulate appetite could help doctors treat chronically ill patients and improve long-term
outcomes.
3. May Protect the Heart
Research in fetal heart cell culture lines shows that GHRP-2 and its analogues (GHRP-I and GHRP-6)
can help to protect heart cells by reducing apoptosis or programmed cell death[d]. This is of particular
importance following heart attack, when heart cells are particularly prone to apoptosis thanks to decreased
blood and thus nutrient supply Research using an analogue of GHRP-2 called Hexarelin has indicated that
there may be a specific receptor for these peptides[7]. Identifying new receptors in any tissue opens
pathways for new drug development, but also deepens our understanding of the human physiology and
how to prevent dysfunction in the first place.
4. Improves the Immune System
GHRP-2 has been shown to stimulate the thymus, an organ responsible for protecting certain cells of the
immune system. In particular, the thymus helps T cells to mature. T cells are critical for adaptive immunity
and our ability to fight off complex infections. Function of the thymus declines wdth age, which leads to a
number of age-related dysfunctions ranging from inadequate tissue repair to lost immunity and thus an
inability to fight off infections, guard against cancer, and maintain normal tissue function. GHRP-2 has
been shown to rejuvenate the thymus, boosting the number and diversity of T-cells it produces[B]. This
leads to improved immunity.
5. Improves Sleep Quality
GHRP-2 has been shown to increase the duration stages 3 and 4 of the sleep cycles by about 50% each
while increasing REM sleep by approximately 20% while reducing the amount that an individual deviates
from "normal sleep" by as much as a third. Overall, the improvement in sleep led to improvement in
cognitive function, blood pressure, healing, and energy levelslgl. These findings, while useful to all adults,
are pmcularly important in the elderly, where the effects of aging take a toll on sleep quality GHRP-2 may
be useful in understanding how to fine-tune sleep to improve quality and maybe even help people get all
the benefits of a full night's sleep in a fraction of the time.
6. May Affect Pain Perception
It was originally thought that observations of decreased pain in animal models of osteoarthritis were the
result of GHRP-2 boosting growth hormone levels and accelerating healing in the damaged tissues. Keen
scientists observed, however, that the pain relief preceded healing by a substantial margin, suggesting that
GHRP-2 may have direct effects on pain perception. As it turns out, GHRP-2 has action at the opioid
receptors[10].
There are four known opioid receptors. Most opioid pain medications do not discriminate between them.
This is problematic because while some of the receptors mediate pain, others affect things like
wakefulness and breathing while still others impact addiction. GHRP-2 is a selective opioid receptor
agonist binding primarily to the receptors responsible for pain relief, sedation, and addiction. This finding
indicates that it may be possible to produce selective opioid agonists and tneretore mitigate or prevent
entirely undesirable effects like respiratory depression and addiction.
GHRP-2 exhibits minimal to moderate side effects, Iow oral and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in
mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not scale to humans. GHRP-2 for sale at Peptide Sciences is limited to
educational and scientific research only, not for human consumption. Only buy GHRP-2 if you are a
licensed researcher.
Article Author
The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr Logan, M.D. Dr. Logan holds a
doctorate degree from Case Westem Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular
biology.