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GHRP-6

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

GH SecretagoguePreclinical

MW: 873g/mol
Formula: C46H56N12O6

Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) is a synthetic hexapeptide classified as a growth hormone secretagogue, originally derived from the structure of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Researchers primarily study GHRP-6 for its ability to stimulate the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland, which has implications in growth disorders and metabolic regulation. Key findings indicate that GHRP-6 can effectively enhance GH release in both animal models and human subjects, with studies suggesting its potential utility in diagnosing growth hormone deficiency by assessing pituitary GH reserve. Additionally, preclinical evidence indicates that GHRP-6 may have regenerative effects on renal tubular epithelial cells in the context of acute kidney injury, highlighting its role in metabolic reprogramming. Current research continues to explore GHRP-6's therapeutic applications and mechanisms of action in various physiological contexts.

Chemical Profile

Chemical Structure

Formula	C46H56N12O6
Molecular Weight	873 g/mol
PubChem CID	4345065

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 the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), stimulating growth hormone (GH) release via the activation of the phospholipase C (PLC) signaling pathway, which leads to increased intracellular calcium levels and subsequent GH secretion from somatotrophs. Additionally, GHRP-6 has been shown to enhance metabolic reprogramming in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) by activating the mTOR-P70S6K signaling pathway, promoting cell survival and recovery during acute kidney injury (AKI). While the overall mechanism is well characterized, some aspects, particularly the full range of downstream effects and interactions with other pathways, remain to be fully elucidated.

Research

84 Research Publications

3,169

Total Citations

Human/RCT

2.9

Avg. Influence

2025

Latest

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01Top

#01

Ghrelin directly regulates bone formation.

AnimalInfluence17.0

320

Researchers observed that ghrelin directly promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, leading to increased bone mineral density in rats.

300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks120 µg/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)not mentioned3 and 30 µg/kgnot mentioned(rat)not mentioned90 µgintravenously(human)not mentioned2 µg/kgintravenously(human)not mentioned

PubMed

02Top

#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

204

Researchers observed that GHRP-6-induced GH secretion was completely blocked in patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection, supporting the hypothesis that its main action occurs at the hypothalamic level.

3 and 30 microg/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned1 microg per kg bodyweightintravenous(human)not mentioned120 microg/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)not mentioned6 mg/kg body weightintravenous(pig)7 days1 pmol/g body weightintraperitoneal(goldfish)not mentioned300 nmol/kgnot mentioned(mouse)9 weeks40 micrograms/daynot mentioned(rat)7 days1 microgram, 4 micrograms and 25 micrograms/kgintravenous(rat)not mentioned90 microgramsintravenous(human)not mentioned1 microg/kgintravenous(human)not mentioned10(-8) M to 10(-5) Mnot mentioned(bovine)not mentioned

PubMed

03Top

#03

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

HumanInfluence3.0

194

The study demonstrated that the GHRH/GHRP-6 test is a reliable and safe diagnostic tool for adult GH deficiency, showing greater differential GH peak responses compared to the insulin tolerance test.

PubMed

#04

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

#05

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

#06

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

HumanInfluence5.0

123

The study demonstrated that GHRP-6 stimulates growth hormone, ACTH, and cortisol release while enhancing stage 2 sleep in normal men.

PubMed

#07

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

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

PubMed

#08

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

AnimalInfluence2.0

103

Researchers observed that GHRP-6 significantly accelerated gastric emptying in septic mice, suggesting its potential therapeutic role in septic gastric ileus.

PubMed

#09

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

In VitroInfluence1.0

103

Researchers observed that GHRP-6 and ghrelin regulate Pit-1 expression in pituitary cells through the GH secretagogue receptor, enhancing GH secretion.

PubMed

#10

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor family members and ligands.

In VitroInfluence3.0

100

Researchers observed that the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) and its family members have been conserved for over 400 million years, with adenosine acting as a partial agonist.

PubMed

Safety

Safety & Handling

Research Gaps

No comprehensive human clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the long-term effects and safety of GHRP-6, particularly in the context of its use for acute kidney injury therapy. Additionally, the precise mechanisms by which GHRP-6 hydrogel influences metabolic reprogramming in renal tubular epithelial cells remain unclear, necessitating further investigation into its biochemical pathways and potential side effects.

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

🇩🇪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

Publications per Year

50 total

Pricing

Price Comparison

BESTPeptiLab USAUS
10mg
$13.79
Price/mg
$1.38/mg
View
bulkpeptidesupply.comUS
10mg
$15.00
Price/mg
$1.50/mg
View
Research Peptides UKUK
5mg
$10.10
Price/mg
$2.02/mg
View
Biolab ShopUS
10mg
$21.33
Price/mg
$2.13/mg
View
Ruo BioUS
5mg
$14.00
Price/mg
$2.80/mg
View

Vendor	Amount	Price	Price/mg	Link
BESTPeptiLab USAUS	10mg	$13.79	$1.38/mg	View
bulkpeptidesupply.comUS	10mg	$15.00	$1.50/mg	View
Research Peptides UKUK	5mg	$10.10	$2.02/mg	View
Biolab ShopUS	10mg	$21.33	$2.13/mg	View
Ruo BioUS	5mg	$14.00	$2.80/mg	View

Top 5 of 32 offers from 28 vendors. Prices updated daily.

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Mechanism

Tools

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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