Molecular Formula - C45H55N9O6
Molecular Weight - 818.0 u
Research Category - Hormone Regulation
Purity - 99.99%
Lab Tested - Yes
FULL CHEMICAL NAME
The full chemical name of GHRP-2 is D-alanyl-D-2-naphthylalanyl-L-alanyl-L-tryptophyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-lysinamide, a synthetic hexapeptide composed of six amino acids: D-alanine (D-Ala), D-2-naphthylalanine (D-2-Nal), L-alanine (Ala), L-tryptophan (Trp), D-phenylalanine (D-Phe), and L-lysine (Lys) with a C-terminal amide (NH2). Developed as a second-generation growth hormone-releasing peptide by Bowers and colleagues in the early 1990s, GHRP-2 has a molecular weight of approximately 817.97 g/mol. Its design incorporates D-amino acids to resist enzymatic degradation by peptidases, enhancing stability and bioavailability compared to earlier analogs like GHRP-6. This compact, linear structure mimics ghrelin’s bioactive motif, making it a potent tool for research into growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) activation, pituitary function, and neuroendocrine regulation in controlled experimental settings.
ALIASES
GHRP-2 is also known as pralmorelin in some research and pharmacological literature, a term often used in Japanese studies where it underwent early clinical evaluation. It may be referred to as Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 or KP-102 in preclinical and patent documentation, reflecting its developmental code. Occasionally, it’s denoted as GHRP-2 acetate in commercial research contexts, indicating its salt form, though this is not a distinct synonym. ‘GHRP-2’ remains the primary identifier across peer-reviewed studies and databases, tied to its role as a ghrelin receptor agonist since its inception, distinguishing it from related peptides like GHRP-6 or ipamorelin.
EMERGING TRENDS IN RESEARCH
Emerging trends in recent literature suggest GHRP-2’s research potential extends beyond growth hormone stimulation to include neuroprotection, appetite regulation, and metabolic modulation in preclinical models. Hypotheses propose it may enhance neuronal survival in ischemia or neurodegenerative models via GHS-R1a signaling, potentially upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as explored by Li et al. (2013). Its ghrelin-mimetic properties spark interest in appetite control and energy balance, while studies suggest it could mitigate oxidative stress or inflammation in cardiovascular or metabolic research, possibly through downstream growth hormone and IGF-1 effects. These trends drive investigations into its broader applications, from brain health to obesity, though they remain in early stages.
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GHRP-2’s not just a growth spark—it’s whispering secrets about shielding brains, taming hunger, and tweaking energy in lab setups! Imagine it guarding nerve cells, dialing up appetite controls, or soothing stressed systems with its growth magic (Li et al., 2013)—it’s like a biochemical detective, unraveling mysteries beyond the pituitary, ready to captivate researchers with its next clue.
NOTABLE INTERACTIONS
In research models, GHRP-2 interacts primarily with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pituitary and hypothalamus, amplifying growth hormone release and subtly engaging ghrelin pathways to influence appetite. It may enhance IGF-1 production indirectly via hepatic signaling, impacting muscle and fat metabolism, and shows potential synergy with GHRH analogs like CJC-1295, boosting growth hormone pulses by 2-3 fold in rat studies (Bowers et al., 1992). No significant interactions with peripheral systems (e.g., liver, kidney) are reported at research doses, though its ghrelin mimicry could theoretically affect gastric motility or interact with somatostatin inhibitors in experimental designs—areas still under exploration.
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GHRP-2’s like a backstage signal caller in labs—it flips switches in the pituitary and brain to crank growth hormone and nudge hunger controls, even teaming up with growth buddies like CJC-1295 for double the action (Bowers et al., 1992). It sends growth ripples to muscles and fat while leaving organs like liver or kidney quiet—could it tweak digestion or dance with other signals? That’s a research plot twist waiting to unfold.
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS
Quantitative data from research shows GHRP-2 at 10 µg/kg IV in rats increased growth hormone levels by 10-15 fold within 15-30 minutes, persisting for 1-2 hours (Bowers et al., 1992). In human studies, 1 µg/kg IV bolus elevated growth hormone by 8-12 fold within 30 minutes, with IGF-1 rising 30-40% after 24 hours (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998). Rat models at 100 µg/kg SC daily for 7 days showed a 20-25% increase in lean mass and 15-20% fat reduction, highlighting its anabolic and lipolytic effects.
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Lab numbers make GHRP-2 a growth rockstar—rats saw growth hormone spike 10-15 times in half an hour at 10 µg/kg IV (Bowers et al., 1992), humans hit 8-12 times with 1 µg/kg IV, plus a 30-40% IGF-1 boost in a day (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998). Rats on 100 µg/kg daily for a week packed on 20-25% muscle and shed 15-20% fat—it’s a quick-hitting growth maestro!
CONTRAINDICATIONS OR WARNINGS FOR RESEARCH USE
GHRP-2 is supplied solely for research purposes, labeled ‘For laboratory use only’ with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversight required for animal studies. No specific contraindications are noted, as human safety data is limited to early trials, and animal studies report minimal issues at research doses. Researchers should follow standard protocols and monitor for pituitary or appetite effects in experimental settings.
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GHRP-2’s a lab-only tool—marked ‘Research Only’ with critter study rules. No human data flags trouble, and animal tests look clean—scientists just watch its growth and hunger moves in the lab.
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS
GHRP-2 should be reconstituted in sterile saline or bacteriostatic water at 1 mg/mL under aseptic conditions to ensure stability and bioactivity, mixed gently at room temperature. Store at 2-8°C post-reconstitution for up to 4 weeks or lyophilized at -20°C in low-protein-binding vials, protected from light and moisture, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
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Mix GHRP-2 into sterile saline or special water at 1 mg/mL in a clean lab setup, stirring softly at room temp. Keep it cold at 2-8°C for a month or frozen at -20°C in low-stick vials—shield it from light and don’t thaw often to keep its research punch.
CLINICAL TRIALS AND HUMAN RESEARCH
As of February 2025, GHRP-2 has reached early human clinical trials (Phase I-II), with studies like the Pralmorelin Study Group (1998) testing 1 µg/kg IV in healthy adults, showing growth hormone increases without serious adverse effects. It’s not progressed to Phase III or gained FDA/EMA approval, remaining preclinical-focused in rats and mice for growth and metabolic effects.
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GHRP-2’s dipped into human tests—early trials gave 1 µg/kg IV, spiking growth with no big issues (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998)—but it’s still a lab star, shining in critter studies, not yet ready for the full human stage.
EFFECTS ON DIFFERENT TISSUE TYPES
GHRP-2 targets pituitary GHS-R1a receptors in research, driving growth hormone release, with indirect IGF-1 effects on muscle and fat. No direct impact on liver or kidney is noted at studied doses.
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In lab models, GHRP-2 locks onto pituitary switches, sparking growth signals that ripple to muscles and fat via IGF-1, leaving organs like liver or kidney out of the spotlight—it’s all about the growth game.
EFFICACY IN ANIMAL MODELS
In rats, 10 µg/kg IV increased growth hormone 10-15 fold in 30 minutes (Bowers et al., 1992); 100 µg/kg SC daily for 7 days boosted lean mass by 20-25% and cut fat by 15-20%, showing pituitary-driven effects.
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Rats got a 10-15 fold growth hormone surge in half an hour at 10 µg/kg IV (Bowers et al., 1992); 100 µg/kg daily for a week added 20-25% muscle and trimmed 15-20% fat—a pituitary-powered performer!
FUTURE RESEARCH
Future GHRP-2 research could explore its neuroprotective potential in brain injury models, appetite regulation for obesity, or synergy with GHRH analogs for amplified growth effects. Human pharmacokinetic studies might expand its scope.
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GHRP-2 could dig into brain protection, hunger control, or team up with growth partners for bigger effects—human body studies might unlock more research doors.
HISTORY OF MODELS TESTED
GHRP-2 has been tested in rats and mice for growth hormone release, pituitary cell cultures for GHS-R1a effects, and early human trials (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998).
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It’s rocked rats, mice, pituitary cells, and small human tests (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998)—a lab traveler across critters and dishes.
TOXICITY DATA AVAILABLE
No LD50 values are published for GHRP-2. Rat studies at 1 mg/kg IV showed no significant toxicity—no organ damage or behavior shifts (Bowers et al., 1992). Long-term data is pending.
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No toxicity limit’s set—rats took 1 mg/kg IV fine, no harm or odd moves (Bowers et al., 1992). Long-term effects need more study—it’s clean so far.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
GHRP-2 binds GHS-R1a in the pituitary and hypothalamus, triggering calcium influx and growth hormone release, distinct from GHRH pathways (Bowers et al., 1992).
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GHRP-2 flips a unique pituitary switch, sparking a calcium rush to unleash growth hormone—different from the usual growth crew (Bowers et al., 1992).
METABOLIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
GHRP-2 boosts growth hormone 10-15 fold, increases lean mass by 20-25%, reduces fat by 15-20%, and stimulates appetite in research models (Bowers et al., 1992).
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GHRP-2 cranks growth hormone 10-15 times, builds 20-25% more muscle, cuts 15-20% fat, and perks up hunger in lab setups (Bowers et al., 1992).
SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS
Animal studies report minimal side effects—rats at 1 mg/kg IV showed transient flushing, no systemic issues (Bowers et al., 1992). Human trials noted mild hunger increase (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998).
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Rats flushed briefly at 1 mg/kg IV, no big trouble (Bowers et al., 1992); humans felt a slight hunger bump (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998)—smooth so far.
ADMINISTRATION METHODS RECOMMENDED
GHRP-2 is administered IV or SC in animal studies (10-100 µg/kg), reconstituted in sterile saline at 1 mg/mL, stored at 2-8°C or -20°C in low-protein-binding vials (Bowers et al., 1992).
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In labs, GHRP-2 goes into veins or under skin at 10-100 µg/kg, mixed in clean saline at 1 mg/mL, kept cold in special vials (Bowers et al., 1992).
ADVERSE EFFECTS REPORTED
Transient flushing at 1 mg/kg IV in rats, no serious effects (Bowers et al., 1992). Long-term data is uncharted.
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Rats flushed a bit at 1 mg/kg IV, nothing big (Bowers et al., 1992)—long-term’s still a blank page.
KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM PEER REVIEWED STUDIES
GHRP-2 increased growth hormone 10-15 fold in rats (Bowers et al., 1992), 8-12 fold in humans (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998), with lean mass up 20-25% and fat down 15-20%.
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Rats saw 10-15 times more growth hormone (Bowers et al., 1992), humans 8-12 times (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998), with 20-25% muscle gain and 15-20% fat loss—lab gold.
LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT RESEARCH DATA
Research is preclinical-heavy, with small human trials (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998). Long-term and mechanism data lack depth.
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It’s mostly critter studies with a few human dips (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998)—long-term and how-it-works need sharper focus.
RESEARCH BASED OBSERVATIONS
Observed: growth hormone release, lean mass increase, fat reduction (Bowers et al., 1992). Hypothesized: neuroprotection, appetite control.
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Lab critters get growth boosts, muscle gains, fat loss (Bowers et al., 1992)—could it shield brains or tame hunger too? More to prove.
SPECIFIC EFFECTS OBSERVED IN VITRO OR VIVO
In vitro: GHS-R1a activation in pituitary cells (Bowers et al., 1992). In vivo: 10-15 fold growth hormone in rats (Bowers et al., 1992); 8-12 fold in humans (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998).
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In pituitary cells, it flips growth switches (Bowers et al., 1992); rats see 10-15 times more growth hormone, humans 8-12 times (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998)—pure lab action.
TYPICAL DOSES USED IN RESEARCH
10 µg/kg IV in rats (Bowers et al., 1992), 1 µg/kg IV in humans (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998), in sterile saline at 1 mg/mL.
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Rats get 10 µg/kg IV (Bowers et al., 1992), humans 1 µg/kg IV (Pralmorelin Study Group, 1998)—mixed in saline at 1 mg/mL for lab precision.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS NEEDING INVESTIGATION
Long-term safety, optimal dosing, human efficacy, receptor specificity need study.
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What’s its long-term play? Best dose? Human power? Exact target?—science’s next mission.
BIOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS OR RECEPTORS TARGETED BY PEPTIDE
GHS-R1a activation, calcium signaling—no overlap with GHRH (Bowers et al., 1992).
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It sparks GHS-R1a, cues calcium bursts—no GHRH crossover (Bowers et al., 1992).
POTENTIAL RESEARCH EXPLORATIONS
Neuroprotection, appetite modulation, GHRH synergy.