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Can Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 Cause Acne?

In this blog, we will closely examine Ipamorelin and CJC-1295, two synthetic peptides that stimulate growth hormone secretion. We discuss their potential effects on various biological processes and current research on their possible link to acne development. It's important to note that while these peptides have shown promising results in studies, more research is needed to fully understand their potential benefits and risks.

Greta Daniskova

Author - Greta Daniskova

Greta is a BSc Biomedical Science student at the University of Westminster, London.

Greta used MediSearch to find sources for this blog.
MediSearch gives instant answers to medical questions based on 30 million scientific articles.

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide (five amino acids) that induces the natural burst of growth hormone in the body. It’s a growth hormone secretagogue that causes the release of growth hormone out. This peptide was found to have considerable growth hormone-releasing activity [1].

It has been shown that ipamorelin might increase rats' longitudinal bone growth rate and weight [2], stimulate stomach emptying (which is helpful for the treatment of postoperative ileus) and decrease markers of tissue inflammation and mortality [3].

Furthermore, ipamorelin also seems to increase body fat in a growth hormone-independent manner, which may prove helpful in particular therapeutic contexts [4]. Beneficial effects on steroid-induced catabolism of Ipamorelin have also been explored [5].

However, we must remember that while these studies have positive results, more research is needed to fully understand the implications of using ipamorelin as a treatment for human subjects.

What is CJC-1295?

CJC-1295 is a peptidic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue, stimulating GH production in the pituitary gland. A maleimide group (a highly reactive C-terminal derivative with a double-bond) present on CJC-1295 serves as a viscerotropic group, allowing this peptidic drug to covalently bind plasma proteins (primarily serum albumin), forming a CJC-1295-protein conjugate with a significantly enhanced half-life, i.e.>6 days, as compared to the non-conjugate peptide. These conjugates could elicit GH production for over six days per single administration in humans [6].

CJC-1295 is a long-acting analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). A single injection of CJC-1295 increases mean plasma GH concentrations 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and mean plasma IGF-I concentrations 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days in a dose-dependent manner [2].

Can CJC-1295/Ipamorelin Cause Acne?

There is not enough evidence to say with 100% certainty whether Ipamorelin/CJC 1295 causes acne, as research has not dug deep enough to know their exact involvement in causing acne.

However, remember that Ipamorelin and CJC 1295 are growth hormone-releasing peptides that stimulate the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormones. Growth hormones can potentially affect the sebaceous glands in the skin that secrete the grease-like substance known as sebum, which will promote acne if overproduced.

For example, research groups have reported that IGF-1, or its precursor—related to growth hormone—can enhance the activity of keratinocytes, an epidermal (skin) cell considered an essential factor in acne pathogenesis [7].

But this doesn’t mean that Ipamorelin or CJC 1295 can actually cause acne – only that more research needs to be done to draw a solid causal connection between them —only that more research is required.

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