From the Guidelines
Sermorelin supplementation stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release more growth hormone naturally, which can lead to increased lean muscle mass, reduced body fat, and improved overall health outcomes, as supported by the concept of growth hormone stimulation in patients with COPD 1.
Mechanism of Action
Sermorelin works by mimicking growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which is naturally produced by the hypothalamus. This mechanism is crucial for stimulating the pituitary gland to release growth hormone, which in turn affects various physiological processes including muscle growth and fat metabolism.
Potential Benefits
The potential benefits of sermorelin supplementation include:
- Increased lean muscle mass
- Reduced body fat
- Improved skin elasticity
- Enhanced sleep quality
- Better immune function These benefits are aligned with the goals of improving body composition and functional capacity in patients with chronic diseases, as discussed in the context of COPD treatment 1.
Treatment Considerations
Typical dosing ranges from 100-500 mcg injected subcutaneously daily, usually before bedtime when natural growth hormone pulses are highest. Treatment duration varies but often continues for 3-6 months initially, with results typically appearing after several weeks of consistent use. It's essential to use sermorelin under medical supervision, as it may not be appropriate for people with certain medical conditions or those taking specific medications.
Side Effects and Safety
Side effects are generally mild and may include injection site reactions, headache, or flushing. Unlike direct growth hormone supplementation, sermorelin preserves the body's natural pulsatile release pattern of growth hormone, potentially reducing risks associated with continuous high levels 1.
From the Research
Sermorelin Supplementation Effects
- Sermorelin, a 29 amino acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), stimulates growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary 2.
- It is used as a provocative test for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency, with hormone responses to intravenous sermorelin appearing to be a rapid and relatively specific test 2.
- Sermorelin supplementation has been shown to be effective in promoting growth in prepubertal children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency, with significant increases in height velocity sustained during 12 months' treatment 2, 3, 4.
- The effects of sermorelin on final adult height are yet to be determined, and its effects have not been directly compared with those of somatropin 2.
- Sermorelin has also been used in combination with other growth hormone secretagogues, such as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, to increase serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in hypogonadal men 5.
Administration and Dosage
- Sermorelin can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously, with a typical dosage of 30 microg/kg bodyweight per day given at bedtime 2, 4.
- The combination of intravenous sermorelin and arginine has been shown to be a more specific test for growth hormone deficiency 2.
- Once daily subcutaneous sermorelin has been shown to be effective in accelerating growth in growth hormone-deficient children during the first year of therapy 4.
Safety and Tolerability
- Sermorelin is generally well tolerated, with transient facial flushing and pain at injection site being the most commonly reported adverse events 2.
- Anti-GHRH antibodies have been shown to develop in some patients, but these do not seem to have adverse effects on either growth or the GH responses to GHRH 3.
- No adverse changes in general biochemical or hormonal analyses have been noted with sermorelin therapy 4.