Ipamorelin is a man-made compound that belongs to the class growth hormone-releasing peptides. It is a pentapeptide, composed of five amino acids with the following structure:
Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2. It has been shown to enhance muscle growth, improve bone health and stimulate collagen synthesis. However, research on ipamorelin is limited and the FDA has not approved it yet. Like other growth hormone secretagogues, it is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because of its potential to enhance athletic performance. At Pinnacle Peptides, ipamorelin for sale is exclusively available for research and educational purposes.

From Pubchem

IUPAC Name: (2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2R)-2-[[(2R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[(2-amino-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]-3-naphthalen-2-ylpropanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]hexanamide
Synonyms: Aib-His-2Nal-Phe-Lys-NH2
Molecular Formula: C38H49N9O5
Molecular Weight: 711.9 g/mol Sequence: XHXFK
CAS number: 170851-70-4
PubChem CID: 9831659

Ipamorelin was identified in 1998 as the first synthetic growth hormone secretagogue to target the selective release of growth hormone as compared to GHRP. It was first developed by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk under the developmental code name NNC 26-0161. Most of the studies involving ipamorelin have been conducted on animals. However, phase II clinical trials were conducted to investigate ipamorelin for post-operative ileus treatment but the trials were discontinued due to its limited efficacy.

Ipamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing peptide and a selective ghrelin agonist. It binds to ghrelin receptors that stimulate the release of immediate hormone, growth hormone-releasing hormone. This, in turn, triggers the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. Unlike other ghrelin memetics, ipamorelin has a selective activity and it doesn’t activate the body’s stress response. Further, it doesn’t influence FSH, TSH, LH and prolactin levels.

1. Diabetes

As a ghrelin mimetic, it is no surprise that it might also regulate insulin release from pancreatic cells. One study conducted in rats found that ipamorelin significantly increased insulin secretion from the pancreas in both healthy and diabetic subjects. Furthermore, it revealed that ipamorelin stimulates insulin release through calcium channels and adrenergic receptor pathways [1].

2. Bone Health

Studies conducted on animal models suggest that ipamorelin stimulates bone growth. This effect is attributed to its ability to stimulate the release of growth hormone (GH), which plays a crucial role in promoting bone health and regulating bone turnover.

In a study, scientists investigated whether the administration of ipamorelin could increase bone mineral content in female rats. Thirteen-week-old rats received ipamorelin subcutaneously for a duration of 12 weeks. The results found increased bone mineral density resulting from enhanced bone growth and improved bone dimensions [2].

Another study replicated these findings by administering various doses of ipamorelin subcutaneously three times a day to observed rats for 15 days. The results indicated a dose-dependent increase in longitudinal bone growth and body weight associated with ipamorelin. These findings suggest that this synthetic pentapeptide has the potential to enhance bone growth in children experiencing growth retardation [3].

Furthermore, an additional study examined whether ipamorelin could counteract the bone-related side effects associated with the long-term use of corticosteroids. Prolonged corticosteroid usage is known to contribute to bone loss and an elevated risk of fractures. Researchers administered ipamorelin (at a dose of 100 micrograms per kilogram) to female rats three times per day for 3 months. The results revealed a significant four-fold increase in bone formation in rats that received both corticosteroids and ipamorelin compared to those who solely received the corticosteroid drug [4].

3. Muscle Health

Like all other growth hormone secretagogues, ipamorelin is prohibited by WADA as it might enhance muscle growth and boost performance. However, there are not many documented studies to confirm this effect.

One study was conducted to investigate the influence of ipamorelin on smooth muscles in rats. In this study, gastroparesis was induced in rats through abdominal surgery, resulting in delayed gastric emptying. Subsequently, ipamorelin was administered to the subjects. The findings indicated an increase in gastric emptying among the rats that received the experimental drug compared to the control group [5].

In a clinical trial, the safety and effectiveness of ipamorelin were assessed in patients with postoperative ileus. Patients who underwent small and large bowel resection were randomly assigned to receive daily infusions of 0.03 mg/kg of ipamorelin or a placebo from day 1 to 7 following surgery. The trial revealed that this dosing regimen was well tolerated [6]. However, further research was not pursued due to the insufficient evidence of ipamorelin's efficacy in humans.

Additionally, another study found that ipamorelin has the potential to mitigate the muscle-related side effects associated with the use of corticosteroids [4].

Ipamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue with selective activity. It stimulates the release of growth hormones with no effect on the levels of stress hormones. Research shows that ipamorelin regulates insulin levels, increases bone mineral density and enhances gastric emptying. It is banned by WADA as it has the potential to enhance athletic performance. We don’t encourage its unwarranted use and offer Ipamorelin purchase exclusively for research and educational purpose. Only buy ipamorelin if you are an authorized researcher.

1. Adeghate, E. and A.S. Ponery, Mechanism of ipamorelin-evoked insulin release from the pancreas of normal and diabetic rats. Neuro Endocrinol Lett, 2004. 25(6): p. 403-6.
2. Svensson, J., et al., The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats. J Endocrinol, 2000. 165(3): p. 569-77.
3. Johansen, P.B., et al., Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res, 1999. 9(2): p. 106-13.
4. Andersen, N.B., et al., The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats. Growth Horm IGF Res, 2001. 11(5): p. 266-72.
5. Greenwood-Van Meerveld, B., K. Tyler, E. Mohammadi, and C. Pietra, Efficacy of ipamorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, on gastric dysmotility in a rodent model of postoperative ileus. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology, 2012. 4: p. 149-155.
6. Beck, D.E., W.B. Sweeney, M.D. McCarter, and G. On behalf of the Ipamorelin 201 Study, Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 2014. 29(12): p. 1527-1534..