What is Hexarelin?
Hexarelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide with protective effects in the cardiovascular system and nervous system and stimulating effects on growth [1, 2].
In terms of its cardioprotective functions, it has been found to show protection in diseases like myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis [2]. Further, it showed cardioprotective actions in ischemia and reperfusion injury [3].
Hexarelin is also involved in the protection of the nervous system. In particular, studies showed that hexarelin treatment in animal murine models reduced brain damage by 39%. [4]
Further, hexarelin has been shown to stimulate growth in short children by increasing insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) secretion and velocity [4].
Hexarelin is a synthetic peptide and its natural analog is called ghrelin. Ghrelin binds to and activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the brain. Hexarelin simulates its effect, but it is chemically more stable and functionally more potent than ghrelin [1].
What is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a synthetic peptide, which consists of five amino acids. It is a patent and specific peptide promoting the release of growth hormone (GH) in the body [5].
Interestingly, it is a selective stimulator of the growth hormone, which means that it does not affect other hormonal levels. Typically, when dealing with other growth hormone-releasing peptides, they affect the levels of cortisol or prolactin. Because of this specific selective function, ipamorelin is an interesting candidate for future clinical studies [6].
Ipamorelin can affect various aspects of health such as bone growth, body weight and gastric motility. According to research, it can increase longitudinal (long-term) bone growth rate and body weight in rats [5]. Staying with rats, it also seems to accelerate gastric emptying of postoperative ileus [7]. In GH-deficient mice, Ipamorelin was found to increase body fat of these. These findings suggest that indeed Ipamorelin can be found to work in bone development and growth, gastrointestinal tract and also might have a GH-independent mechanism of action.
What are the differences between Hexarelin and Ipamorelin?
Both Hexarelin and Ipamorelin are synthetic peptides simulating the release of GH. Although they simulate the same hormone, they have different properties and effects.
While both of these molecules are potent and their GH-releasing activity is dose-dependent, Hexarelin has been found to influence the levels of prolactin-releasing activity, and Ipamorelin has not been to [5, 6, 8, 9].
In conclusion, while both Hexarelin and Ipamorelin stimulate the release of GH, they differ in their potency, selectivity, and the other hormones they affect. Hexarelin has a broader hormone-releasing activity, while Ipamorelin is more selective for GH release. Importantly both of these peptides have a wide range of potential therapeutic applications in the area of growth!