MECHANISM OF ACTION
Ipamorelin is a five-amino-acid peptide that tells the pituitary gland to release a pulse of growth hormone. What makes it stand out from older growth hormone releasers (like GHRP-2 or GHRP-6) is that it does this without raising cortisol (the stress hormone) or prolactin (a hormone that can cause unwanted effects at high levels). This makes it one of the cleaner options in its class. It's commonly combined with CJC-1295: CJC-1295 lifts the overall level of growth hormone activity, and Ipamorelin then triggers well-timed pulses on top of that, a complementary pairing.
RESEARCH APPLICATIONS
- Selective GH pulse stimulation
- Body composition - lean/fat ratio studies
- Sleep quality and nocturnal GH pulse research
- Combination GHRH/GHRP synergy modelling
- Bone mineral density (preclinical)
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Selectivity vs. Earlier GHRPs
1998Head-to-head in swine models: ipamorelin produced equivalent GH release to GHRP-6 with significantly lower ACTH and cortisol - superior chronic safety profile.
Ref: Raun et al., Eur J Endocrinol
BMD Preservation
200012-week ipamorelin in preclinical bone-loss models showed statistically significant BMD preservation vs. control via IGF-1-mediated osteoblast activity.
Ref: Svensson et al., Growth Horm IGF Res
RESEARCH PROTOCOL NOTES
Chemical Identity
Sequence
Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
Storage & Stability
Lyophilised: -20°C or 2–8°C. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, 28 days. More stable in solution than CJC-1295.
Regulatory Status
No regulatory approval. WADA prohibited (S2). SAHPRA: unscheduled research compound.