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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 classified as a growth hormone secretagogue, originating from a series of peptides designed to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release. Researchers primarily study GHRP-6 for its potent effects on stimulating GH secretion in both animal models and humans. Key findings from studies indicate that GHRP-6 effectively enhances GH release through specific receptors in the pituitary and hypothalamic regions, while also demonstrating a capacity to influence metabolic processes in renal tubular epithelial cells during acute kidney injury. Current research status highlights ongoing investigations into GHRP-6's therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine and its role in metabolic regulation, alongside the exploration of its analogs and mechanisms of action.

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, which are distinct from GHRH receptors, to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release from somatotropes in the pituitary gland. The mechanism may involve counteracting somatostatinergic activity and potentially activating GHRH-mediated pathways, although the exact signaling pathways remain unclear. Additionally, GHRP-6 has been shown to enhance metabolic reprogramming in renal tubular epithelial cells via the mTOR-P70 signaling pathway, promoting cell survival during acute kidney injury.

Research

125 Research Publications

4,308

Total Citations

35

Human/RCT

2.7

Avg. Influence

2025

Latest

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#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
#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.

HumanInfluence3.0
204
Researchers observed that GHRP-6-induced GH secretion is blocked in patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection, indicating its primary action at the hypothalamic level.
90 microgramsintravenously(human)120 micrograms/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)1 microgram per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)3 and 30 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)40 micrograms/daydaily(rat)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)1 microgramintravenously(human)300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks6 mg/kg body weightintravenously(pig)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)25 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)
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 is a reliable and safe diagnostic tool for adult GH deficiency, showing greater differential peak responses compared to the insulin tolerance test.
90 microgramsintravenously(human)120 micrograms/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)1 microgram per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)3 and 30 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)40 micrograms/daydaily(rat)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)1 microgramintravenously(human)300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks6 mg/kg body weightintravenously(pig)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)25 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)
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 accelerated gastric emptying and transit in rats, with ghrelin being more potent than GHRP-6.
15-20 mgoral(human)6-24 months80 mgsubcutaneous injection(human)10 µg/kginjection(sheep)12 nmol/kgintraperitoneal(mouse)1 µg/kgiv(human)
PubMed
#06

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

HumanInfluence5.0
123
Researchers observed that GHRP-6 stimulates growth hormone, ACTH, and cortisol release while enhancing stage 2 sleep in normal men, contrasting with GHRH effects.
90 microgramsintravenously(human)120 micrograms/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)1 microgram per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)3 and 30 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)40 micrograms/daydaily(rat)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)1 microgramintravenously(human)300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks6 mg/kg body weightintravenously(pig)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)25 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)
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

  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
#08

Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue.

AnimalInfluence5.0
103
The study demonstrated that ipamorelin exhibits GH-releasing potency and efficacy comparable to GHRP-6, while showing selectivity for GH release without affecting other hormone levels in swine.
0.5 mg/kg per daysubcutaneous(rat)12 weeks4.21, 14.02, 42.13, 84.27 and 140.45 nmol/kgintravenous(human)15 minutes0.03-mg/kgintravenous(human)7 days0.01-1 mg/kgintravenous(rat)48 hours100 microg/kgsubcutaneous(rat)3 months0.5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)subcutaneous(rat)7 days5 or 30 µgunknown(fish)21 days
PubMed
#09

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

AnimalInfluence1.0
103
Researchers observed that GHRP-6 and ghrelin regulate Pit-1 expression in pituitary cells through the GH secretagogue receptor, indicating a transcriptional activation mechanism.
90 microgramsintravenously(human)120 micrograms/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)1 microgram per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)3 and 30 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)40 micrograms/daydaily(rat)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)1 microgramintravenously(human)300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks6 mg/kg body weightintravenously(pig)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)25 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)
PubMed
#10

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

AnimalInfluence2.0
103
Researchers observed that GHRP-6 significantly accelerates gastric emptying in septic mice, indicating its potential as a prokinetic agent.
90 microgramsintravenously(human)120 micrograms/kg of body weightintraperitoneally(rat)1 microgram per kg bodyweightintravenously(human)3 and 30 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)40 micrograms/daydaily(rat)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)1 microgramintravenously(human)300 nmol/kgdaily(mouse)9 weeks6 mg/kg body weightintravenously(pig)seven days1 microgramintravenously(human)25 micrograms/kgintravenously(rat)
PubMed
Safety

Safety & Handling

Research Gaps

No comprehensive human trials have been conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of GHRP-6 on metabolic reprogramming in acute kidney injury or its efficacy in various somatotrope hyposecretory states. Additionally, the precise mechanisms by which GHRP-6 and other GHRPs counteract somatostatinergic activity and their potential interactions with unknown hypothalamic factors remain unclear.

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

50 total
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Pricing

Price Comparison

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    10mg
    $13.79
    Price/mg
    $1.38/mg
  • bulkpeptidesupply.comUS
    10mg
    $15.00
    Price/mg
    $1.50/mg
  • Research Peptides UKUK
    5mg
    $10.10
    Price/mg
    $2.02/mg
  • Biolab ShopUS
    10mg
    $21.33
    Price/mg
    $2.13/mg
  • Research Peptides UKUK
    5mg
    $12.69
    Price/mg
    $2.54/mg

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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