Research
Ipamorelin Peptide Data Sheet
Molecular formula: | C38H49N9O5 |
Molecular weight: | 711.9 g/mol |
PubChem CID: | 9831659 |
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Research Applications: |
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What is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide that selectively stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland. It mimics the action of ghrelin, a naturally occurring hormone that regulates GH secretion, without affecting other pituitary hormones such as cortisol, prolactin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone. Ipamorelin’s mechanism of action involves binding to the ghrelin receptor, triggering a GH release that can influence various anabolic processes, including appetite regulation, fat processing, and energy usage [R].
Ipamorelin and Growth Hormone Release
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that acts as a potent growth hormone (GH) secretagogue, stimulating the release of GH from the pituitary gland. Ipamorelin functions by mimicking ghrelin, the body’s natural GH-stimulating hormone. It binds to the ghrelin receptor, also known as the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). This binding triggers a cascade of events that leads to the selective stimulation of GH release from the pituitary gland.
Unlike other GH-releasing peptides, ipamorelin specifically stimulates GH release in a manner similar to that of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). This selectivity is a key feature of ipamorelin’s action, as it doesn’t significantly affect other pituitary hormones [R].
Ipamorelin and Muscle Strength
One study examined ipamorelin’s impact on rats treated with glucocorticoids, which are known to cause muscle wasting. The research found that ipamorelin helped maintain muscle strength in these animals, as measured by the maximum tetanic tension of their calf muscles. This suggests that ipamorelin might help preserve muscle function in conditions where muscle loss is a concern [R].
While direct human studies on ipamorelin’s effects on muscle mass and strength are limited, its classification as a growth hormone secretagogue hints at its potential. Growth hormone is known to play a role in muscle growth and maintenance.
Ipamorelin and Bone Health
Ipamorelin has shown promising effects on bone health in limited research. A study published in the Journal of Endocrinology in 2000 examined its impact on bone mineral content in adult female rats. The researchers found that continuous administration of ipamorelin for 12 weeks increased bone mineral content in the tibia and vertebrae of the rats. However, this increase was proportional to the overall increase in body weight, suggesting that ipamorelin’s effects on bone may be part of its broader growth-promoting properties [R].
Ipamorelin and Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Research has suggested that ipamorelin may have a positive impact on gastrointestinal motility, accelerating gastric emptying and improving gastric contractility. This potential therapeutic application warrants further research, particularly in the context of postoperative ileus and other GI motility disorders [R].
Ipamorelin and Diabetes
A study on rats revealed that ipamorelin can boost insulin release from pancreatic tissue in both healthy and diabetic subjects. This effect was observed across various concentrations of the peptide. The research suggests that ipamorelin works through multiple pathways and appears to stimulate insulin secretion by interacting with calcium channels and adrenergic receptors [R].
Ipamorelin as Ghrelin Receptor Probe
Ipamorelin functions as a selective ghrelin receptor agonist, making it useful for studying ghrelin receptor-mediated mechanisms. Its ability to bind to and activate ghrelin receptors allows researchers to investigate the effects of ghrelin receptor stimulation in various physiological processes [R].
One study demonstrates that ipamorelin effectively attenuates visceral and somatic nociception through a ghrelin receptor-mediated mechanism. This suggests that ipamorelin can be used as a probe to explore the role of ghrelin receptors in pain modulation pathways [R].
Researchers used ipamorelin as a template for developing boron-rich peptide conjugates targeting the ghrelin receptor. This application showcases ipamorelin’s utility as a structural basis for creating novel ghrelin receptor-targeted compounds, further emphasizing its value as a probe for ghrelin receptor studies [R].