Educational, research-use-only content. This article summarizes published scientific literature for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. The compounds discussed are supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and are not approved for human or veterinary use.
What is GHRP-6?
GHRP-6 is a synthetic growth-hormone-releasing peptide (a hexapeptide) that acts on the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor to stimulate growth-hormone release. It is one of the earliest and most studied compounds in this class.
What the research examined
Beyond GH release, GHRP-6 has been studied for cytoprotective (tissue-protecting) properties. In a rat model of kanamycin-induced kidney injury, GHRP-6 — alone and combined with epidermal growth factor — reduced glomerular, tubular, and interstitial damage and accelerated tissue repair during the recovery phase compared with untreated animals (Rodriguez Salgueiro et al., 2014).
How it is thought to work
GHRP-6 signals through the ghrelin receptor; the cytoprotection research suggests additional tissue-repair-related activity that has been explored in injury models (Rodriguez Salgueiro et al., 2014).
The limits of the current evidence
- The cytoprotection data are from animal models; human efficacy is not established.
- GHRP-6 is not an approved medicine and is prohibited in sport by WADA. Notably, GHRP-6 can also stimulate appetite and raise cortisol in research settings.
References
According to PubMed:
- Rodriguez Salgueiro S, et al. Role of EGF and GHRP-6 in acceleration of renal tissue repair after kanamycin overdosing in rats. Iran J Kidney Dis. 2014. PMID:25194405
