Sermorelin

approved

Also known as: GHRH (1-29), GRF 1-29

**Mechanism of Action** Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) is a synthetic analog of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), comprising the first 29 amino acids of the native 44-amino acid peptide. It binds specifically to GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells, activating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway to stimulate pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH). This pulsatile release mimics physiological GH patterns, distinguishing it from continuous GH administration. Sermorelin does not directly elevate GH levels but enhances the amplitude and frequency of endogenous GH pulses, thereby preserving negative feedback regulation via somatostatin and IGF-1. **Key Research Findings** Approved by the FDA for diagnostic use in GH deficiency (GHD) and as a therapeutic agent in children with idiopathic GHD, clinical studies demonstrate that sermorelin increases GH and IGF-1 levels in a dose-dependent manner. In adults with relative GHD, trials show improvements in lean body mass, bone density, and lipid profiles, though effects on muscle strength and cognitive function remain inconsistent. Long-term safety data indicate low immunogenicity and minimal adverse effects (e.g., transient injection-site reactions, mild hyperglycemia). However, efficacy in age-related GH decline is limited, as pituitary responsiveness diminishes with aging. **Clinical Relevance** Sermorelin is primarily used off-label for GH stimulation testing and as an alternative to recombinant GH in pediatric GHD, offering a more physiological approach with reduced risk of supraphysiological IGF-1 levels. Its utility in anti-aging or sports performance contexts lacks robust evidence and is not FDA-approved. Contraindications include active malignancy, intracranial hypertension, and hypersensitivity. Monitoring of IGF-1 and glucose metabolism is recommended during therapy. For research purposes only — not medical advice.

Key data

Category
Growth Hormone Peptides
Molecular weight
3357.9 g/mol
Molecular formula
C149H246N44O42S
CAS number
86168-78-7
Half-life
10-20 minutes
Administration
subcutaneous
Research status
approved
References
24
Tags
ghrh-analog, gh-secretagogue

Research & studies

A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness · 2026 · PubMed

Peptides like growth hormone secretagogues and analogues are marketed for muscle growth and recovery but lack clinical evidence for supraphysiological use.; Potential risks include cardiovascular strain, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and psychiatric instability.; Unregulated supply chains lead to mislabeled or contaminated products, exacerbating health dangers.; Prevalence data on recreational use, especially among younger individuals, is critically lacking.

Chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of peptidic analytes (2-10 kDa) in doping control urine samples
Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS · 2024 · PubMed

Efficient extraction of peptidic analytes from urine was achieved for insulins, growth hormone-releasing hormones, insulin-like growth factors, synacthen, gonadorelin, and mechano growth factors.; Five internal standards were used to cover all five included peptide drug categories.; The method fulfills nearly all WADA technical document requirements for minimum required performance levels.; Proof of principle was demonstrated using authentic post-administration urine samples for insulins and gonadorelin.

In-house standards derived from doping peptides: Enzymatic and serum stability and degradation profile of GHRP and GHRH-related peptides
Biomedical chromatography : BMC · 2023 · PubMed

GHRP-4, GHRP-6, and Sermorelin (22-29) were stable to enzyme and blood treatment.; These three peptides can serve as in-house internal standards for peptide quantification.; GHRP-6 and Sermorelin (22-29) were used to analyze a dimeric peptide in four different matrices.; A unique protein binding and enzymatic stability profile was established for each peptide.

Cationic exchange SPE combined with triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS/MS for detection of GHRHs in urine samples
Analytical biochemistry · 2023 · PubMed

Method detects tesamorelin, CJC-1295, sermorelin (GRF 1-29), sermorelin (3-29)-NH2, and somatorelin.; LOD of 0.2 ng/mL and LOQ of 0.6 ng/mL achieved.; Linearity established from 0.1 ng/mL to 1.2 ng/mL.; Validated per WADA criteria for selectivity, LOD, carryover, reliability, stability, and recovery.

Online large volume sample staking preconcentration and separation of enantiomeric GHRH analogs by capillary electrophoresis
Electrophoresis · 2023 · PubMed

First separation of GHRH enantiopeptides (sermorelin and CJC-1293) differing by one chiral amino acid.; PS-LVSS with 80% capillary volume injection outperformed sweeping in signal enhancement.; Adding 0.1 mM phosphoric acid with 30% methanol to sample doubled signal compared to water.; Method achieved 640-fold signal enhancement in desalted urine versus CZE without preconcentration.

Probing for peptidic drugs (2-10 kDa) in doping control blood samples
Analytical science advances · 2022 · PubMed
An antibody-free, ultrafiltration-based assay for the detection of growth hormone-releasing hormones in urine at low pg/mL concentrations using nanoLC-HRMS/MS
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis · 2022 · PubMed

Limits of detection were 5-25 pg/mL and limits of identification were 25-50 pg/mL.; Recoveries ranged from 59-115%, with similar sensitivity to immuno-affinity purification but lower costs.; Sermorelin and its metabolite degraded rapidly at temperatures >4°C and pH <7.; The method can be expanded to cover emerging peptide drugs and metabolites without specific antibodies.

A potentially effective drug for patients with recurrent glioma: sermorelin
Annals of translational medicine · 2021 · PubMed

Recurrent glioma patients showed highest sensitivity to sermorelin in high-throughput drug screening.; Sermorelin was effective for recurrent patients with high grade, IDH-wildtype, and 1p/19q non-codeletion status.; Sermorelin may inhibit tumor cell proliferation through cell cycle blocking and negatively regulate immune checkpoints and M0 macrophages.; Patient benefit from sermorelin was independent of postoperative adjuvant treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sermorelin?

**Mechanism of Action** Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) is a synthetic analog of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), comprising the first 29 amino acids of the native 44-amino acid peptide. It binds specifically to GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells, activating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway

How does Sermorelin work?

GHRH(1-29) analog that binds pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate pulsatile growth hormone release.

What is the research status of Sermorelin?

Sermorelin is currently classified as approved, with 24 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the half-life of Sermorelin?

The reported half-life of Sermorelin is 10-20 minutes.

What is the molecular weight of Sermorelin?

Sermorelin has a molecular weight of approximately 3357.9 g/mol (formula C149H246N44O42S).

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    Sermorelin — Mechanism, Research & Data | Peptides API