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GHRP-6

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6 · His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH2

GH SecretagoguePreclinical
From$1.38/mgCompare prices
MW
873g/mol
Formula
C46H56N12O6

Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) is a synthetic hexapeptide that belongs to a class of compounds known as growth hormone secretagogues. Researchers primarily study GHRP-6 for its ability to stimulate the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland, which has implications for growth regulation and metabolic processes. Key findings indicate that GHRP-6 exhibits potent GH-releasing activity comparable to other secretagogues, and studies have demonstrated its potential in enhancing renal recovery in acute kidney injury models through metabolic reprogramming of renal cells. Additionally, preclinical evidence suggests that GHRP-6 analogs may possess anti-atherosclerotic properties by modulating macrophage activity in atherosclerosis models. Current research continues to explore the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of GHRP-6 and its derivatives in various physiological and pathological contexts.

Chemical Profile

Chemical Profile

Chemical structure
Chemical Structure
FormulaC46H56N12O6
Molecular Weight873 g/mol
PubChem CID4345065

Half-Life

SCSubcutaneous

~2 hours

IMIntramuscular

~2 hours

IVIntravenous

~20 to 30 minutes

POOral

Poor bioavailability

The half-life can vary based on the specific formulation and individual metabolic factors.

Mechanism

Mechanism of Action

GHRP-6 acts primarily through specific GHRP receptors located in the pituitary and hypothalamus, stimulating growth hormone (GH) release via a mechanism that may involve counteracting somatostatinergic activity and potentially engaging GHRH-mediated pathways. The signaling pathways implicated include the mTOR-P70 pathway, which is activated in renal tubular epithelial cells, enhancing their survival and metabolic reprogramming during acute kidney injury. While the exact mechanisms remain partially understood, evidence suggests that GHRP-6 may also influence systemic inflammation and macrophage polarization in atherosclerotic contexts through interactions with CD36 receptors.

Research

82 Research Publications

3,214

Total Citations

27

Human/RCT

2.8

Avg. Influence

2025

Latest

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#01

Ghrelin directly regulates bone formation.

AnimalInfluence17.0
321
Researchers observed that ghrelin directly stimulates bone formation by promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, leading to increased bone mineral density in rats.
300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks3 and 30 µg/kgintravenous(rat)90 µgintravenously(human)1 µg/kgintravenously(human)2 µg/kgintravenously(human)1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)1 µg per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)
PubMed
#02

Blocked growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP-6)-induced GH secretion and absence of the synergic action of GHRP-6 plus GH-releasing hormone in patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection: evidence that GHRP-6 main action is exerted at the hypothalamic level.

Case ReportInfluence3.0
202
The study demonstrated that GHRP-6-induced GH secretion was completely blocked in patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection, indicating its primary action at the hypothalamic level.
300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks3 and 30 µg/kgintravenous(rat)90 µgintravenously(human)1 µg/kgintravenously(human)2 µg/kgintravenously(human)1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)1 µg per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)
PubMed
#03

GH-releasing hormone and GH-releasing peptide-6 for diagnostic testing in GH-deficient adults.

HumanInfluence3.0
194
Researchers observed that the GHRH/GHRP-6 test provides a reliable and convenient alternative for diagnosing GH deficiency in adults, outperforming the insulin tolerance test in distinguishing healthy from GH-deficient individuals.
300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks3 and 30 µg/kgintravenous(rat)90 µgintravenously(human)1 µg/kgintravenously(human)2 µg/kgintravenously(human)1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)1 µg per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)
PubMed
#04

GH releasing peptides--structure and kinetics.

HumanInfluence8.0
173
Researchers observed that GHRP-6, along with other GHRPs, effectively releases GH in humans after various routes of administration, demonstrating its potential for clinical application.
300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks3 and 30 µg/kgintravenous(rat)90 µgintravenously(human)1 µg/kgintravenously(human)2 µg/kgintravenously(human)1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)1 µg per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)
PubMed
#05

Massive growth hormone (GH) discharge in obese subjects after the combined administration of GH-releasing hormone and GHRP-6: evidence for a marked somatotroph secretory capability in obesity.

HumanInfluence4.0
168
The study demonstrated that the combined administration of GHRP-6 and GHRH induced a significantly greater growth hormone peak in obese human subjects compared to GHRH alone.
300 nmol/kgoral(mouse)9 weeks70 mg/Kgintraperitoneal(rat)single injection1 and 10 microg/kgintravenous(rat)single injection3 and 30 microg/kgintravenous(rat)single injection2 microg/kgintravenous(human)bolus administration6 mg/kg body weightintravenous(pig)seven days100 mcgintravenous(human)single injection1 microgram/kgintravenous(human)separate days10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)not mentioned10(-9) Min vitro(cow)not mentioned1 microgram, 4 micrograms and 25 micrograms/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.5 mg/kg per daysubcutaneous(rat)12 weeks20 nmoles/mouseintraperitoneal(mouse)14 days15 micromin vitro(rat)10 min
PubMed
#06

Comparison of the gastroprokinetic effects of ghrelin, GHRP-6 and motilin in rats in vivo and in vitro.

AnimalInfluence5.0
126
Researchers observed that both ghrelin and GHRP-6 accelerate gastric emptying in rats by activating cholinergic pathways, while motilin showed no significant effect under the same conditions.
120 microg/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)1 mg/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)300 nmol/kg(mouse)9 weeks6 mg/kg body weightintravenously(growing pig)seven days3 and 30 microg/kg(rat)90 microgramsintravenously(human)1 microg/kgintravenously(human)1 microgram/kgintravenously(human)2 microg/kgintravenously(human)
PubMed
#07

Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 stimulates sleep, growth hormone, ACTH and cortisol release in normal man.

HumanInfluence5.0
121
Researchers observed that GHRP-6 stimulates GH, ACTH, and cortisol release in normal men, enhancing stage 2 sleep without affecting slow-wave sleep.
300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks3 and 30 µg/kgintravenous(rat)90 µgintravenously(human)1 µg/kgintravenously(human)2 µg/kgintravenously(human)1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)1 µg per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)
PubMed
#08

Parallel studies of His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH2 and human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor-44-NH2 in rat primary pituitary cell monolayer culture.

Sartor O, et al. · Endocrinology · 1985

AnimalInfluence2.0
104
Researchers studied two peptides, GH-RP-6 and hpGRF-44, that stimulate growth hormone (GH) release in rat pituitary cells. They found that these peptides work through different mechanisms and that their effects can be influenced by calcium levels and the presence of rat serum.

Key findings

  1. 01Researchers observed that GH-RP-6 and hpGRF-44 both release GH but under different optimal conditions.
  2. 02The study found that GH-RP-6 has a higher effective dose compared to hpGRF-44.
  3. 03Researchers noted that the two peptides can enhance each other's GH release effects.
PubMed
#09

Regulation of Pit-1 expression by ghrelin and GHRP-6 through the GH secretagogue receptor.

In VitroInfluence1.0
102
The study demonstrated that GHRP-6 regulates Pit-1 expression in pituitary cells, indicating its role in the transcriptional activation of growth hormone secretion.
300 nmol/kgoral(mouse)9 weeks70 mg/Kgintraperitoneal(rat)single injection1 and 10 microg/kgintravenous(rat)single injection3 and 30 microg/kgintravenous(rat)single injection2 microg/kgintravenous(human)bolus administration6 mg/kg body weightintravenous(pig)seven days100 mcgintravenous(human)single injection1 microgram/kgintravenous(human)separate days10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)not mentioned10(-9) Min vitro(cow)not mentioned1 microgram, 4 micrograms and 25 micrograms/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned0.5 mg/kg per daysubcutaneous(rat)12 weeks20 nmoles/mouseintraperitoneal(mouse)14 days15 micromin vitro(rat)10 min
PubMed
#10

Effect of ghrelin and growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 on septic ileus in mice.

AnimalInfluence2.0
102
Researchers observed that GHRP-6 significantly accelerated gastric emptying in septic mice, suggesting its potential as a prokinetic agent in septic gastric ileus.
300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks3 and 30 µg/kgintravenous(rat)90 µgintravenously(human)1 µg/kgintravenously(human)2 µg/kgintravenously(human)1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)10(-8) M to 10(-5) Min vitro(bovine)1 µg per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)
PubMed
Safety

Safety & Handling

Research Gaps

No comprehensive human clinical trials have been conducted to assess the long-term effects and safety of GHRP-6 and its analogs, particularly regarding their impact on metabolic regulation in conditions like acute kidney injury. Additionally, the precise mechanisms by which GHRP-6 influences somatotropin secretion and its interactions with hypothalamic factors remain unclear, warranting further investigation.

Solubility

GHRP-6 is soluble in water and DMSO.

Storage & Handling

Lyophilized

Stable for 2+ years at -20°C, 12 months at 4°C

Reconstituted

Use within 14 days when refrigerated at 4°C

Avoid

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, direct light

Solvent

Bacteriostatic water or sterile saline recommended

Safety information is derived from published research and may not reflect all known risks. This is not medical advice.

Legal Status

Legal Status

🇩🇪DE

Not approved as a medicinal product. Not a controlled substance. Sale as research chemical is a legal grey area.

🇺🇸US

Not approved by the FDA for medical use. Not scheduled by the DEA.

🇦🇺AU

Not approved by the TGA for therapeutic use.

🇬🇧UK

Not approved by the MHRA as a medicinal product.

Legal status information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory changes. Always verify with official government sources before making any decisions.

Community Insights

Community Insights

Publications per Year

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  • Biolab ShopUS
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  • Research Peptides UKUK
    5mg
    $12.69
    Price/mg
    $2.54/mg
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Mechanism

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Mechanism

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Legal Disclaimer

This page is for informational and research purposes only. All information is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Many substances listed may not be approved for human use and may be subject to drug regulation laws (e.g., AMG in Germany, FDA in the US). PepStack does not encourage the use of any substance on humans. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. Use of this information is entirely at your own risk. PepStack assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content provided. Full disclaimer