Description
Ipamorelin is a ghrelin mimetic peptide classified as a growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP), studied in controlled laboratory environments for its interaction with ghrelin receptors and its distinct signaling pathway compared to GHRH-based compounds.
Chemical Information
- Chemical Name: Ipamorelin (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2; NNC 26-0161)
- Also Known As: NNC 26-0161
- Compound Class: Synthetic pentapeptide GHSR-1a agonist; highest GHSR-1a selectivity in the GHRP class
- Sequence: Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
- Molecular Formula: C38H49N9O5
- Molecular Weight: 711.9 g/mol
- CAS Number: 170851-70-4
- Key structural features: Aib (alpha-aminoisobutyric acid) at position 1 — novel N-terminal residue that abolished ACTH/cortisol co-stimulation while preserving GHSR-1a GH secretagogue activity; D-2-naphthylalanine and D-phenylalanine providing GHSR-1a binding geometry; C-terminal amide for metabolic stability
Applications
- Isolated GHSR-1a agonism without endocrine confounds. The Aib N-terminal residue was specifically engineered by Novo Nordisk to eliminate the ACTH/cortisol co-stimulation that accompanies GHRP-6 (substantial ACTH, prolactin, and appetite signaling) and GHRP-2 (moderate ACTH co-stimulation); ipamorelin produces essentially no ACTH or prolactin co-stimulation at GH-releasing doses, making it the appropriate compound for any experiment where isolating the GHSR-1a-to-GH pathway without glucocorticoid interference is the research goal
- GHRP selectivity spectrum comparative research. Systematic comparison of Ipamorelin (minimal off-target activity), GHRP-2 (moderate ACTH co-stimulation), GHRP-6 (substantial ACTH, prolactin, appetite-related signaling via CD36/ghrelin system), and Hexarelin (ACTH plus CD36 scavenger receptor engagement) in the same cell model quantifies the relationship between N-terminal residue identity and receptor selectivity — the foundational SAR question for the GHRP compound class
- GHSR-1a constitutive activity research. The unoccupied GHSR-1a exhibits approximately 50% of its maximum Gq/11-coupled calcium mobilization activity constitutively, without any agonist present; ipamorelin augments this baseline through ligand-driven agonism; inverse agonist pretreatment abolishes the constitutive baseline; the three-condition comparison (inverse agonist, vehicle, ipamorelin) characterizes the full dynamic range of GHSR-1a Gq/11 signaling and how ligand-driven agonism relates to the constitutive tonic contribution
- Dual-pathway GH axis research in combination with GHRH analogs. Maximum GH pulse amplitude from somatotroph cells requires both GHRHR-mediated cAMP/PKA priming (GH gene transcription and vesicle mobilization) and GHSR-1a-mediated Gq/11/calcium-triggered exocytosis; ipamorelin provides the GHSR-1a input while CJC-1295, sermorelin, or tesamorelin provide the GHRHR input; the four-way comparison (each receptor pathway alone, both combined) quantifies the additive relationship between the two independent GH-axis receptor systems
- GH pulsatility and downstream IGF-1 research. ipamorelin’s GHSR-1a selectivity makes it the standard GHRP compound for downstream IGF-1 measurement studies requiring isolated ghrelin receptor pathway activation; the comparison with GHRP-6 (same GHSR-1a pathway, different receptor selectivity) controls for whether ACTH co-stimulation independently influences IGF-1 production in the experimental system
Storage and Handling
Store lyophilized powder at -20C for long-term stability, or at 2-8C for short-term use. Protect from heat, moisture, and direct light. Reconstituted solutions should be stored at 2-8C and used promptly. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Compliance Notice
Ipamorelin is for laboratory research use only. It is not for human or veterinary use and carries no therapeutic, diagnostic, or clinical indication. This product has not been evaluated by the FDA. By purchasing this product, the buyer confirms that they will follow appropriate institutional safety procedures and use it exclusively for controlled research.
