GHRP-2 (a.k.a. pralmorelin) is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue known to bind to the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It was the first of the growth hormone secretagogues to be introduced and is currently marketed as a test peptide for the assessment of growth hormone deficiency and secondary adrenal failure. GHRP-2 has been investigated in stage II clinical trials for the assessment of short stature and is under active research for its effects on appetite, muscle growth, the immune system, and sleep cycles. GHRP-2 is orally and sublingually active, so it does not have to be injected to have its effects.
Research in Yaks indicates that GHRP-2 can boost muscle growth in two ways: increased protein deposition and decreased protein degradation. The research showed that GHRP-2 can overcome natural growth plateaus that occur in yaks due to food deprivation, disease, and adverse environmental conditions (e.g. cold)[1]. The most profound finding from this study is that GHRP-2 reduces muscle atrophy by inactivating atrogin-1 and MuRF1, proteins that control the muscle degradation pathway[2]. There is hope that these findings could be used to reduce the catabolism common in chronic illnesses like autoimmune disease, cancer, and more.
Of course, by activating growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1, GHRP-2 helps to boost muscle protein deposition. The combined effect of reducing degradation and enhancing deposition is that GHRP-2 encourages the development of lean body mass even in adverse conditions[3].
Research in fetal heart cell culture lines shows that GHRP-2 and its analogues (GHRP-1 and GHRP-6) can help to protect heart cells by reducing apoptosis or programmed cell death[6]. This is of particular importance following heart attack, when heart cells are particularly prone to apoptosis thanks to decreased blood and thus nutrient supply. Research using an analogue of GHRP-2 called Hexarelin has indicated that there may be a specific receptor for these peptides[7]. Identifying new receptors in any tissue opens pathways for new drug development, but also deepens our understanding of the human physiology and how to prevent dysfunction in the first place.
GHRP-2 has been shown to increase the duration stages 3 and 4 of the sleep cycles by about 50% each while increasing REM sleep by approximately 20% while reducing the amount that an individual deviates from “normal sleep” by as much as a third. Overall, the improvement in sleep led to improvement in cognitive function, blood pressure, healing, and energy levels[9]. These findings, while useful to all adults, are particularly important in the elderly, where the effects of aging take a toll on sleep quality. GHRP-2 may be useful in understanding how to fine-tune sleep to improve quality and maybe even help people get all the benefits of a full night’s sleep in a fraction of the time.
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