Plain-English glossary

Growth-hormone secretagogue

A growth-hormone secretagogue is any molecule that stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone, acting at either the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) or the GHRH receptor. In research the term covers both peptide and non-peptide agents, and combining a GHRH-type and a GHRP-type secretagogue is a common experimental strategy because the two receptors reinforce one another.

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GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) →GHRP (growth-hormone-releasing peptide) →Receptor agonist →Peptide →

Names you may come across

Ipamorelin

A peptide studied for its interaction with signals involved in growth-hormone release.

CJC-1295

A modified version of a hormone signal, studied in research on growth hormone and IGF-1.