Secretagogues studied for GH release, IGF-1, and body composition.
Growth-hormone secretagogues are studied for their ability to stimulate the body’s own pulsatile GH release rather than supplying exogenous hormone. The two principal classes — GHRH analogs and growth-hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) — act on distinct receptors and are frequently studied in combination for synergistic effect.
Common endpoints include GH pulse amplitude, downstream IGF-1 elevation, and body-composition changes such as visceral-fat reduction and lean-mass support. Preserving the physiological pulsatility and feedback of the GH axis is a defining research consideration for this class.
Modified GHRH(1-29) analog with short plasma half-life.
View profileLong-acting GHRH analog with a Drug Affinity Complex for albumin binding.
View profileSelective ghrelin receptor agonist (GHRP) with minimal cortisol / prolactin release.
View profileTruncated GHRH(1-29) — historically the first GHRH analog approved by the FDA.
View profileSynthetic hexapeptide GHRP with potent GH-releasing activity.
View profileSecretagogues stimulate the body’s own pulsatile GH release rather than supplying exogenous hormone, aiming to preserve natural feedback and pulsatility.
GHRH analogs and growth-hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) act on distinct receptors and are frequently studied in combination for synergistic GH release.
Common endpoints are GH pulse amplitude, downstream IGF-1 elevation, and body-composition changes such as visceral-fat reduction and lean-mass support.
How to weigh this evidence
Preclinical, observational, and randomized findings carry very different weight. The evidence hierarchy shows how to rank what you read before drawing conclusions.