GHRP-6

Description

GHRP-6 is a high-purity, synthetic hexapeptide supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in a single sterile vial (commonly 5mg or 10mg sizes). This product is intended exclusively for laboratory and scientific research purposes, including in vitro studies, animal models, neuroendocrine assays, or investigations into growth hormone (GH) secretion, ghrelin signaling, appetite regulation, and metabolic pathways. GHRP-6 is not approved for human consumption, therapeutic use, medical treatment, performance enhancement, or veterinary applications by any regulatory agency (e.g., FDA, EMA). All handling must be performed by qualified researchers following strict laboratory and biosafety protocols.

Key Specifications

• Chemical Name: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6 (Hexarelin-related analog)
• Molecular Formula: C₄₆H₅₆N₁₂O₆
• Molecular Weight: 873.0–873.01 g/mol
• Amino Acid Sequence: His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ (H-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ with N-terminal His)
• CAS Number: 87616-84-0
• Synonyms: GHRP6, Hexapeptide-2, SKF-110679
• Purity: ≥98–99% (verified by HPLC; third-party Certificate of Analysis recommended)
• Appearance: White to off-white lyophilized powder
• Form: Single vial (requires reconstitution with bacteriostatic water or sterile solution for research applications)
• Storage: Lyophilized — store at -20°C or colder, protected from light and moisture for long-term stability. After reconstitution — refrigerate at 2–8°C and use promptly (stability typically days to weeks depending on buffer and conditions). Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Research Background and Mechanism

GHRP-6 is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue and potent agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), also known as the ghrelin receptor. Developed in the 1980s–1990s as part of the GHRP family, it mimics aspects of endogenous ghrelin to stimulate GH release from pituitary somatotrophs via Gq/11-coupled signaling, intracellular calcium mobilization, and PKC pathways. Unlike GHRH analogs, GHRP-6 acts through a distinct ghrelin receptor pathway and can synergize with GHRH for amplified, pulsatile GH secretion.

Key mechanisms explored in preclinical models (e.g., rodents, isolated pituitaries) include:

• Strong stimulation of GH release in a dose-dependent manner, often independent of GHRH but additive/synergistic when combined
• Mild to moderate appetite stimulation and increased food intake (via ghrelin-like hypothalamic effects)
• Potential modulation of other pituitary hormones in certain contexts (e.g., limited effects on prolactin or cortisol)
• Cytoprotective and prosurvival effects in models of tissue damage (e.g., via PI3K/AKT pathways, Bcl-2 upregulation, mitochondrial integrity)
• Influence on energy homeostasis, lipolysis, and metabolic regulation

Animal studies have shown robust GH elevation, increased food intake at higher doses, and additional protective roles in models of cardiac, renal, or wound injury.

Potential Research Applications

In controlled laboratory settings, GHRP-6 is investigated for:

• GH axis dynamics and pulsatile secretion mechanisms
• Ghrelin mimetic effects on appetite, energy balance, and feeding behavior
• Metabolic studies (lipolysis, insulin sensitivity, body composition in models)
• Cytoprotection, tissue repair, and anti-inflammatory pathways
• Synergistic interactions with GHRH or other secretagogues
• Neuroendocrine responses in aging, stress, or deficiency models

It exhibits high potency as a GH releaser with notable appetite-stimulating properties compared to some analogs.

Important Notes

GHRP-6 remains unapproved for any human or clinical use. While preclinical data highlight its efficacy as a GH secretagogue and potential cytoprotective roles, no modern regulatory approval exists for therapeutic applications, and human data are limited to historical or investigational contexts. All products are sold strictly for research use only — not for diagnostic, therapeutic, personal consumption, or performance enhancement purposes. Researchers must use sterile reconstitution techniques (gentle swirling), accurate dosing, and biosafety measures. Always verify purity and identity via independent lab analysis (COA) and comply with institutional guidelines.