What is Sermorelin (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone, GHRH)?

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From the FDA Drug Label

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From the Research

Definition and Mechanism of Sermorelin

  • Sermorelin, a 29 amino acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), is the shortest synthetic peptide with full biological activity of GHRH 1.
  • It specifically stimulates growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary, and its effects can be used to diagnose and treat growth hormone deficiency 1, 2.

Uses of Sermorelin

  • Sermorelin is used as a provocative test for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency, with a rapid and relatively specific response to intravenous administration 1.
  • It is also used to treat idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in prepubertal children, with significant increases in height velocity and catch-up growth observed in some patients 1.
  • Additionally, sermorelin has been shown to have extrapituitary effects, including stimulation of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, and inhibition of apoptosis 3, 4, 5.

Extrapituitary Effects of GHRH

  • GHRH has been shown to have a wide range of extrapituitary effects, including regulation of pancreatic islet and β-cell survival and function, endometrial cell proliferation, cardioprotection, and wound healing 3, 4, 5.
  • GHRH and its analogs may have potential therapeutic uses in a variety of medical settings, including the treatment of malignancies, regulation of metabolism, and promotion of healing and survival of tissues 3, 4, 5.

Administration and Tolerance

  • Sermorelin can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously, with a recommended dosage of 30 microg/kg bodyweight per day for the treatment of idiopathic growth hormone deficiency 1.
  • The effects of sermorelin have been shown to be well-tolerated, with transient facial flushing and pain at the injection site being the most commonly reported adverse events 1.

References

Research

Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy, 1999

Research

Growth hormone releasing hormone.

Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism, 1986

Research

Peripheral activities of growth hormone-releasing hormone.

Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2016

Research

Growth hormone-releasing hormone: not only a neurohormone.

Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM, 2011

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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