Synthetic analog · 6 amino acids · 887 Da

Hexarelin studies and research data

PepBank has 245 hexarelin studies with results. 219 of them gave hexarelin, with 1,112 results, grouped by what the studies measured. In each group, results from studies in people come first. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Searches 1,112 results and 294 papers. Newer studies from Europe PMC

Results in people

498

45% of 1,112 results

Results in animals

407

37% of 1,112 results

Results in lab cells

206

19% of 1,112 results

From computer models

under 1% of 1,112 results

The molecule

Hexarelin identity

Identifiers, parent molecule, targets and development stage, from curated data.

Hexarelin (INN examorelin; codes EP-23905 and MF-6003) is the hexapeptide His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2. A 1995 acromegaly paper describes it as a GHRP-6 analog in which D-tryptophan is replaced by its 2-methyl derivative (PMID 7588427). AdisInsight lists Mediolanum as the originator. In a 1994 dose study (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 12 healthy volunteers), 1 microgram per kg intravenously gave a growth hormone response about twice that of 1 microgram per kg GHRH. Bioavailability was 77.0 percent subcutaneously, 4.8 percent intranasally and 0.3 percent orally (PMID 8126144). Hexarelin acts at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a: cells that express the human receptor respond with a calcium signal (PMID 14669829). In rat heart it also binds CD36, and CD36 mediates a coronary vasoconstrictor response to hexarelin (PMID 11988484). Acute intravenous doses also raise prolactin and cortisol (PMID 8954038). In a 16-week study in adults (1.5 microgram per kg subcutaneously twice daily), the growth hormone response to hexarelin fell from an area under the curve of 19.1 to 10.5 microgram per litre per hour and was back to 19.4 four weeks after the last dose; IGF-I did not change (PMID 9589671). The same dosing lowered the cortisol area under the curve and did not change the prolactin area under the curve (PMID 10341859). A single intravenous dose raised left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy but not in dilated cardiomyopathy (PMID 11959048). No product is approved. ChEMBL lists a highest phase of 2, but I found no trial record to confirm it. AdisInsight records the highest phase as discontinued for somatotropin deficiency and notes that examorelin was available for licensing on 2007-05-15. Recent papers (2019 to 2026) are mostly animal and cell studies of cardiac, neural, kidney, lung and other tissue effects. WADA names examorelin (hexarelin) in S2.2.4. FDA does not list hexarelin in the 503A or 503B compounding categories.

Kind: Synthetic analog · 6 residues
Identifiers: ChEMBLCHEMBL108335 (opens in a new tab)PubChem CID6918297 (opens in a new tab)UNII09QF37C617 (opens in a new tab)DrugBankDB19510 (opens in a new tab)CAS140703-51-1IUPHAR1100 (opens in a new tab)
Parent: Analog of Ghrelin (human), ghrelin-28Pharmacological analogy only. Hexarelin acts at the same receptor as ghrelin (growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a; PMID 14669829). The sequence is not derived from ghrelin: it is a GHRP-6 analog (PMID 7588427), and GHRP-6 shares no segment with ghrelin-28 (UniProt Q9UBU3, residues 24-51).
Development: Phase 2Mediolanum Farmaceutici (Italy). AdisInsight lists Mediolanum as originator. Wikipedia also says it was developed by Mediolanum Farmaceutici (citing a pharmacology dictionary). AdisInsight also records that Europeptides was acquired from Zentaris AG by Ardana Bioscience on 2002-08-25.AdisInsight (page read 2026-10-13; the full profile is behind a log-in): originator Mediolanum; highest development phase 'Discontinued' for somatotropin deficiency; most recent event 2007-05-15, 'available for licensing'. ChEMBL gives max_phase 2.0 for CHEMBL108335. Published human studies include a dose study in healthy volunteers (PMID 8126144, 1994), a 16-week subcutaneous study in adults (PMIDs 9589671 and 10341859, 1998 and 1999), a study in children and adults with growth hormone deficiency (PMID 7673411, 1995), and an acute intravenous study in severe left ventricular dysfunction (PMID 11959048, 2002). A Patsnap Synapse page lists phase 2 for growth hormone deficiency and heart failure, but its header gives the highest phase as Preclinical; it was read through a search excerpt only and no trial IDs were found. Wikipedia also says the drug reached phase II (growth hormone deficiency and heart failure) but it gives no trial IDs. The phase 2 value therefore rests on ChEMBL, Patsnap and Wikipedia only and is not confirmed by a trial record or by AdisInsight (which shows 'Discontinued' without a phase). ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 returned 0 studies for 'hexarelin', 'examorelin', 'EP-23905', 'MF-6003' and for query.intr 'hexarelin OR examorelin' on 2026-10-13. No marketing authorisation was found in the regions checked. Source (opens in a new tab)

Targets

Molecular targets with action and evidence source
Target	Action	Evidence
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (ghrelin receptor)GHSRQ92847 (opens in a new tab)	Agonist	primary literatureSource (opens in a new tab)
Platelet glycoprotein 4 (CD36, scavenger receptor)CD36P16671 (opens in a new tab)	Binds (ligand); activation by hexarelin causes a coronary vasoconstrictor response in rat hearts	primary literatureSource (opens in a new tab)

Sequence and structure

Residues, differences from the parent, calculated properties and 3D structure. Source values and calculated values are shown separately.

Sequence

6 amino acids · 4 modifications

H-

HAWK

Alignment to Ghrelin (human), ghrelin-28

Calculated from the two sequences. Curated notes are shown as given.

1 of 6 aligned residues identical (17%) · 3 substitutions · 2 non-canonical residues · Ghrelin (human), ghrelin-28 9–14

Top row: Ghrelin (human), ghrelin-28 (parent)
Bottom row: Hexarelin

Same as parent
Substituted
Non-canonical or D-form
Added
Gap
Modified side chain or end
Parent context

Differences from the parent

1Parent 10 · analog 2Gln → D-2-MeTrp · D-amino acidD configuration of 2-methyltryptophan. 2-methyl-D-tryptophan (a methyl group on C2 of the indole ring). One-letter code X is used for it here. ChEMBL writes it [X155] in the HELM.
2Parent 11 · analog 3Arg → Ala · Substitution
3Parent 12 · analog 4Val → Trp · Substitution
4Parent 13 · analog 5Gln → D-Phe · D-amino acidD-phenylalanine.
5Parent 14 · analog 6Gln → Lys · SubstitutionC-terminal lysinamide.

Basis: Pharmacological analogy only. Hexarelin acts at the same receptor as ghrelin (growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a; PMID 14669829). The sequence is not derived from ghrelin: it is a GHRP-6 analog (PMID 7588427), and GHRP-6 shares no segment with ghrelin-28 (UniProt Q9UBU3, residues 24-51).

Calculated from the two sequences with @pepdb/chem alignToParent (ungapped unless a gap scores higher). The record’s curated notes are shown as given.

Properties

From identity sources

Formula: C₄₇H₅₈N₁₂O₆
Molecular weight: 887 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass: 886.4602 Da

GSRS UNII 09QF37C617(opens in a new tab)retrieved 2026-10-13
PubChem CID 6918297(opens in a new tab)retrieved 2026-10-13
ChEMBL CHEMBL108335(opens in a new tab)retrieved 2026-10-13
europepmc 7588427(opens in a new tab)retrieved 2026-10-13

Calculated from the sequence

pKa set

Some values cannot be calculated. The sequence has a non-canonical residue (X). Residue tables cover only the 20 standard amino acids.

Average mass: Not calculated
Monoisotopic mass: Not calculated
Isoelectric point (pI): Not calculated
Net charge at pH 7.4: Not calculated
GRAVY (hydropathy): Not calculated
Extinction coefficient, 280 nm (Cys reduced): 5,500 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹; 5500 x Trp + 1490 x Tyr · Pace et al. 1995 (ExPASy ProtParam)
Instability index: Not calculated
Aliphatic index: Not calculated
Boman index: Not calculated
Hydrophobic moment (μH): Not calculated

1 non-canonical residue (X) is not included in calculated values.
D-amino acids have the same mass and charge as L forms. Hydrophobicity scales were measured on L forms.
Defined and validated for proteins; use with care for short peptides.
Assumes an ideal alpha helix. Many short peptides are not helical.

@pepdb/chem 0.2.0 · EMBOSS pKa set · ExPASy residue masses

Net charge by pH

No charge curve

The sequence has a non-canonical residue (X). Residue tables cover only the 20 standard amino acids.

Composition

Hydrophobic17% (1)A
Aromatic33% (2)F W
Positive33% (2)H K
Non-canonical17% (1)X

6 residues. Each residue counts in one class; F and W count as aromatic.

A Ala1 · 17%

I Ile0 · 0%

L Leu0 · 0%

M Met0 · 0%

V Val0 · 0%

F Phe1 · 17%

W Trp1 · 17%

Y Tyr0 · 0%

H His1 · 17%

K Lys1 · 17%

R Arg0 · 0%

D Asp0 · 0%

E Glu0 · 0%

N Asn0 · 0%

Q Gln0 · 0%

S Ser0 · 0%

T Thr0 · 0%

C Cys0 · 0%

G Gly0 · 0%

P Pro0 · 0%

X Xaa1 · 17%

3D structure

PredictedAlphaFold DB · Q9UBU3

Loads the 3D viewer (3Dmol.js, about 150 KB) and the model file from AlphaFold DB (EMBL-EBI).

2D structure

Draws the structure in your browser with RDKit (about 2.3 MB, loaded once).

SMILES fromPubChem CID 6918297(opens in a new tab)

Cc1c(C[C@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](Cc2c[nH]c3ccccc23)C(=O)N[C@H](Cc4ccccc4)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](Cc5cnc[nH]5)N)c6ccccc6[nH]1

Results by area

Hexarelin results by year and outcome

Counts are exact and come from studies that gave the peptide.

Studies by year

245 of 294 studies have results (83%), published 1994 to 2026. Top row: every study. Bottom row: studies with results about Hexarelin, by class. The rows use different scales.

Studies
Human
Animal
Lab
Computer model
Natural levels, tool or combination only

Studies294 in all, 1994 to 2026

Studies with results245 in all, 1994 to 2026

Retracted studies are left out. A study with results in two classes counts in both.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

What the studies measured

People first in each area, then animals, then lab cells. Counts are exact and come from studies that gave the peptide.

Hexarelin studies on growth hormone and growth

372 results · people 273 · animals 89 · lab 10

Top 5 of 372 results

Hexarelin raised the growth hormone peak less in women with anorexia nervosa than in healthy women.Journal of endocrinological investigation, 1997
In short children before puberty, hexarelin nasal doses sped up growth.Clinical endocrinology, 1995
In healthy young men, hexarelin raised growth hormone.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1999
In short children, growth speed was higher after 6 to 10 months of hexarelin treatment than before, with no control group.European journal of endocrinology, 1996
In healthy men, hexarelin raised growth hormone less in older men than in younger men.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1994

Hexarelin studies on hormones

178 results · people 169 · animals 3 · lab 6

Top 5 of 178 results

In healthy young men, hexarelin raised ACTH.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1999
In healthy people, hexarelin raised prolactin levels more than placebo.Clinical endocrinology, 1996
In healthy men, higher doses of hexarelin raised prolactin more, up to a plateau at the 1.0 microgram/kg dose.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1996
Blood fT4 and T3 did not change significantly in any hexarelin test.Clinical endocrinology, 1994
In healthy adults, hexarelin caused a small rise in the stress hormones ACTH and cortisol.Journal of internal medicine, 2000

Hexarelin studies on heart and blood vessels

184 results · people 25 · animals 110 · lab 49

Top 5 of 184 results

In healthy men, hexarelin increased the heart's pumping fraction.Journal of endocrinological investigation, 1999
In healthy men, hexarelin did not change blood pressure.Journal of endocrinological investigation, 1999
In rats with the pituitary gland removed, hexarelin reduced the strong response of aortic tissue to endothelin-1.Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 1999
In mice prone to atherosclerosis, hexarelin reduced artery plaque lesions.Molecular endocrinology, 2006
In rats, a week of hexarelin injections reduced a marker of heart cell damage by up to 40% compared with controls.Endocrine, 2001

Hexarelin studies on bones and joints

28 results · people 6 · animals 19 · lab 3

Top 3 of 28 results

In short children before puberty, hexarelin nasal doses raised blood phosphate.Clinical endocrinology, 1995
In adults, one bone formation marker was higher after 16 weeks of hexarelin than at the start.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1998
In children with short stature, a week of hexarelin nasal doses raised blood alkaline phosphatase.Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism, 1995

Hexarelin studies on blood levels and clearance

50 results · people 5 · animals 29 · lab 16

Top 3 of 50 results

In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin injected under the skin had a biological bioavailability of 77.0%.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1994
In one volunteer who took hexarelin through the nose, the peptide was broken down extensively and parent peptide and breakdown products appeared in urine.Drug testing and analysis, 2015
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin through the nose had a biological bioavailability of 4.8%.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1994

Hexarelin studies on weight and appetite

29 results · people 5 · animals 23 · lab 1

Top 5 of 29 results

In short children before puberty, hexarelin nasal doses reduced skinfold thickness.Clinical endocrinology, 1995
In adults, body fat did not change significantly after 16 weeks of hexarelin.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1998
In healthy young men, hexarelin caused a small short-term rise in appetite.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1999
In rat fat cells, hexarelin reduced the fat breakdown that isoproterenol triggers.European journal of pharmacology, 2004
In short children before puberty, body weight went up during hexarelin nasal treatment.Clinical endocrinology, 1995

Hexarelin studies on blood sugar

15 results · people 3 · animals 11 · lab 1

Top 5 of 15 results

In 11 healthy young adults, hexarelin did not change blood glucose.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2001
In 11 healthy young adults, hexarelin did not change blood insulin.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2001
In short boys before puberty, intranasal hexarelin was followed by a rise in blood insulin.European journal of endocrinology, 1997
In rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, hexarelin lessened the drop in blood insulin.PloS one, 2016
In obese rats, 30 days of hexarelin raised insulin levels in the blood.The Journal of endocrinology, 2000

Hexarelin studies on medical tests and imaging

3 results · people 3 · animals 0 · lab 0

3 results

As a test for growth hormone deficiency, the lower hexarelin dose was specific 62% of the time.Journal of endocrinological investigation, 1999
As a test for growth hormone deficiency, the higher hexarelin dose was specific 75% of the time.Journal of endocrinological investigation, 1999
Using both hexarelin doses together gave the most false positive results among the test combinations.Journal of endocrinological investigation, 1999

Hexarelin studies on immune system and inflammation

22 results · people 2 · animals 17 · lab 3

Top 5 of 22 results

In seven healthy young volunteers, hexarelin did not change the inflammation marker TNF-alpha compared with placebo.Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2004
In aged rats, a heart prostacyclin marker did not differ between hexarelin, growth hormone and saline groups.Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 1998
In mice with MPTP-induced lung injury, hexarelin given before or after MPTP improved lung cell-damage and inflammation markers.Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 2026
In mice with MPTP-induced pancreatic injury, hexarelin reduced inflammation markers in the pancreas, by different amounts for different markers.Journal of molecular histology, 2026
In seven healthy young volunteers, hexarelin did not change soluble TNF receptor levels compared with placebo.Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2004

Hexarelin studies on side effects

2 results · people 2 · animals 0 · lab 0

2 results

In healthy older adults, neither nasal nor oral hexarelin caused any side effect in this small study.European journal of endocrinology, 1996
No one in the study had side effects after hexarelin.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1995

Hexarelin studies on sleep

2 results · people 2 · animals 0 · lab 0

2 results

In seven healthy young volunteers, hexarelin reduced deep stage 4 sleep early in the night compared with placebo.Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2004
In seven healthy young volunteers, hexarelin lowered deep-sleep brain wave power over the night compared with placebo.Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2004

Hexarelin studies on receptors and cell signals

105 results · people 1 · animals 23 · lab 80 · computer models 1

Top 5 of 105 results

After hexarelin was given through the nose, urine samples still showed activity at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.Drug testing and analysis, 2017
In mice prone to atherosclerosis, hexarelin increased the activity of PPARgamma and LXRalpha target genes in macrophages.Molecular endocrinology, 2006
In obese mice, hexarelin raised activity of growth hormone signaling genes in fat tissue and liver.FASEB journal, 2021
In rats, blocking the growth hormone secretagogue receptor removed the stomach protection that hexarelin gave against ethanol.Peptides, 2004
In male rats, hexarelin did not change nitric oxide breakdown products in a brain area, unlike its related EP peptides.European journal of pharmacology, 2001

Hexarelin studies on cholesterol and blood fats

15 results · people 1 · animals 11 · lab 3

Top 5 of 15 results

In short boys before puberty, intranasal hexarelin was followed by a rise in blood lipoprotein(a), a heart disease risk marker.European journal of endocrinology, 1997
In obese rats, 30 days of hexarelin did not change the high triglyceride levels.The Journal of endocrinology, 2000
In insulin-resistant mice, hexarelin clearly lowered triglycerides in the liver.Endocrinology, 2017
In rats with induced artery disease, hexarelin partly restored the ratio of good to bad cholesterol.Peptides, 2010
In obese mice, hexarelin did not change free fatty acid levels in the blood.FASEB journal, 2021

Hexarelin studies on sex hormones and fertility

8 results · people 1 · animals 7 · lab 0

Top 5 of 8 results

In children with short stature, hexarelin responses were not linked to gonadotropin responses or to sex hormone levels.Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism, 2000
In female mice that were not pregnant, hexarelin lowered the ovulation rate.Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2010
In mice, hexarelin in the first week of pregnancy significantly sped up nervous system maturation of the offspring.Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2010
In mice, hexarelin given during pregnancy tended to speed up the maturation of the offspring.Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2010
In female mice given the higher hexarelin dose, fewer fetuses developed for each egg released.Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2012

Hexarelin studies on brain and nerves

30 results · people 0 · animals 18 · lab 12

Top 5 of 30 results

In rats given a seizure-inducing drug, hexarelin pretreatment stopped seizures from progressing to continuous seizures.European journal of pharmacology, 2011
In hamsters with a cut optic nerve, daily hexarelin increased survival of retinal ganglion cells, more so at higher doses than saline.Indian journal of pharmacology, 2026
In newborn rats with brain injury from low oxygen, hexarelin reduced brain damage by 39% compared with vehicle.Endocrinology, 2005
In hamsters with a cut optic nerve, 25 μg/kg hexarelin daily kept more retinal ganglion cells alive than saline.Indian journal of pharmacology, 2026
In young mice, hexarelin raised the number of dividing cells in a memory-related brain area by about 50% compared with controls.Growth hormone & IGF research, 2010

Hexarelin studies on survival and serious illness

15 results · people 0 · animals 13 · lab 2

Top 5 of 15 results

In rats with kidney injury from interrupted blood flow, hexarelin given beforehand reduced the damage seen in kidney tissue.European journal of medical research, 2023
In mice with MPTP-induced pancreatic injury, hexarelin reduced the tissue damage seen under the microscope.Journal of molecular histology, 2026
In mice with a heart attack, fewer died within 2 weeks with hexarelin than with vehicle.Endocrinology, 2013
In rats with kidney injury from interrupted blood flow, hexarelin given beforehand reduced cell death in the kidney.European journal of medical research, 2023
In mice with MPTP-induced pancreatic injury, hexarelin reduced a cell-death marker in the pancreas.Journal of molecular histology, 2026

Hexarelin studies on cells, genes and aging

21 results · people 0 · animals 9 · lab 12

Top 5 of 21 results

In aged rats, hexarelin treatment restored the way muscle sodium channel currents behave.The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, 1998
In mice, hexarelin changed mitochondria in white fat in a way similar to the changes seen in fat cells in a dish.Endocrinology, 2007
In silver sea bream, hexarelin lowered the amount of a stress protein (HSP70) in the gills compared with saline.Fish physiology and biochemistry, 2010
In rats with cisplatin-induced muscle wasting, hexarelin counteracted damage to the energy-producing parts of muscle cells.Scientific reports, 2017
In lab tests on cells, hexarelin reduced cell death.The Journal of cell biology, 2002

Hexarelin studies on stomach and gut

8 results · people 0 · animals 8 · lab 0

Top 3 of 8 results

In rats, hexarelin given into the brain reduced stomach acid secretion.Neuroendocrinology, 2002
In rats, hexarelin given into the brain cut stomach ulcers caused by ethanol by 47%.Peptides, 2004
In rats, hexarelin given into the brain cut stomach acid output most at a low dose.Neuroendocrinology, 2002

Hexarelin studies on muscles and tendons

4 results · people 0 · animals 4 · lab 0

Top 3 of 4 results

In rats with cisplatin-induced muscle wasting, hexarelin greatly reduced the disturbance of calcium handling in muscle.Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle, 2017
In three of six old dogs, hexarelin improved some muscle measures, while muscle in young untreated dogs stayed the same.The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 1996
In rats with cisplatin-induced muscle wasting, hexarelin treatment was linked to better muscle function.Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle, 2017

Hexarelin studies on lungs and breathing

3 results · people 0 · animals 3 · lab 0

3 results

In mice with MPTP-induced lung injury, hexarelin given before or after MPTP reduced damage seen in lung tissue.Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 2026
In mice with MPTP-induced lung injury, hexarelin given after MPTP lowered cell-death markers more than hexarelin given before.Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 2026
In mice with MPTP-induced lung injury, hexarelin given after MPTP gave higher levels of the antioxidant enzyme SOD than hexarelin given before.Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 2026

Hexarelin studies on liver

2 results · people 0 · animals 2 · lab 0

2 results

In obese mice, hexarelin reduced new fat production in the liver.FASEB journal, 2021
In obese mice, hexarelin lowered fat content in the liver.FASEB journal, 2021

Hexarelin studies on memory and thinking

2 results · people 0 · animals 2 · lab 0

2 results

In mice, hexarelin given during pregnancy impaired learning in the offspring, and female offspring were more affected.Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2010
In adult mice, long-term hexarelin impaired learning, similar to the effect seen in the offspring.Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2010

Hexarelin studies on pain

2 results · people 0 · animals 2 · lab 0

2 results

In rats given morphine, hexarelin given with morphine reduced the loss of morphine's pain-relieving effect.Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 2021
In rats, giving hexarelin together with morphine increased pain relief.Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 2021

Hexarelin studies on sexual and women's health

2 results · people 0 · animals 2 · lab 0

2 results

In male rats, hexarelin injected into a brain area did not increase erections, while two related peptides did.European journal of pharmacology, 2000
In male rats, hexarelin did not cause penile erection, while its related EP peptides did.European journal of pharmacology, 2001

Hexarelin studies on daily life and fitness

6 results · people 0 · animals 1 · lab 5

Top 3 of 6 results

In aged rats, long-term hexarelin did not restore muscle function, unlike growth hormone.British journal of pharmacology, 2003
In rat muscle tissue, hexarelin lowered the resting chloride flow in a dose-dependent way.British journal of pharmacology, 2003
In rat muscle tissue, hexarelin lowered the resting potassium flow in a dose-dependent way.British journal of pharmacology, 2003

Hexarelin studies on kidneys and bladder

1 result · people 0 · animals 1 · lab 0

1 result

In rats with kidney injury from interrupted blood flow, hexarelin given beforehand improved kidney function.European journal of medical research, 2023

Hexarelin studies on cancer

3 results · people 0 · animals 0 · lab 3

3 results

In lab tests on human breast cancer cell lines, hexarelin slowed cell growth.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2001
In lung cancer cells, hexarelin reduced DNA synthesis stimulated by IGF-II, and more so at higher doses.Endocrinology, 2002
In lung cancer cells, hexarelin slowed cell growth stimulated by IGF-II, and more so at higher doses.Endocrinology, 2002

Trials and papers

Hexarelin trials

Registered trials that test the peptide, with phase, status and dates. A dot marks trials with posted results.

StatusPhase

0 trials match. Highest phase first. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

No trial matches these filters.

Papers

Studies on this peptide. Some have results. The others have none yet.

Sort

Design

294 studies match. Retracted studies are left out.

Showing 24 of 294 studiesquery qry_2a149c351810136af168919e

Studies with results

245 studies in all, 18 on this page

In vitro (cells) · 2002

7 results

Ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin inhibit cell death in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells through ERK1/2 and PI 3-kinase/AKT.

Baldanzi et al. 2002The Journal of cell biologycited by 525

PMID 12486113PMC2173981DOI 10.1083/jcb.200207165PUB-12486113

Free to read · publisher termsCC BY-NC3 results where Hexarelin was given

Read at source See results (7)

Randomized controlled trial · 2001

4 results

Ghrelin, a natural GH secretagogue produced by the stomach, induces hyperglycemia and reduces insulin secretion in humans.

Broglio et al. 2001The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismn = 11cited by 481

PMID 11600590DOI 10.1210/jcem.86.10.8098PUB-11600590

Rights unknown4 results where Hexarelin was given

Source link See results (4)

Randomized controlled trial · 2001

4 results

Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin, a nonnatural peptidyl GHS, and GH-releasing hormone.

Arvat et al. 2001The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismn = 7cited by 322

PMID 11238504DOI 10.1210/jcem.86.3.7314PUB-11238504

Rights unknown4 results where Hexarelin was given

Source link See results (4)

Ex vivo tissue · 2000

7 results

Growth hormone secretagogue binding sites in peripheral human tissues.

Papotti et al. 2000The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismcited by 298

PMID 11061542DOI 10.1210/jcem.85.10.6846PUB-11061542

Full text at the publisher2 results where Hexarelin was given (plus 2 on tools or combinations, listed separately)

Publisher page See results (7)

Ex vivo tissue · 2001

4 results

Identification, characterization, and biological activity of specific receptors for natural (ghrelin) and synthetic growth hormone secretagogues and analogs in human breast carcinomas and cell lines.

Cassoni et al. 2001The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismcited by 232

PMID 11297611DOI 10.1210/jcem.86.4.7402PUB-11297611

Rights unknown2 results where Hexarelin was given

Source link See results (4)

In vitro (cells) · pig · 2005

1 result

Ghrelin stimulates, whereas des-octanoyl ghrelin inhibits, glucose output by primary hepatocytes.

Gauna et al. 2005The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismcited by 199

PMID 15536157DOI 10.1210/jc.2004-1069PUB-15536157

Full text at the publisher1 result where Hexarelin was given

Publisher page See results (1)

Ex vivo tissue · rat · 2004

6 results

Ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin both inhibit isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in rat adipocytes via a non-type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

Muccioli et al. 2004European journal of pharmacologycited by 139

PMID 15363972DOI 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.07.066PUB-15363972

Full text at the publisher3 results where Hexarelin was given

Publisher page See results (6)

In vitro (cells) · rat · 2005

3 results

Ghrelin regulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells.

Maccarinelli et al. 2005The Journal of endocrinologycited by 133

PMID 15642801DOI 10.1677/joe.1.05837PUB-15642801

Rights unknown3 results where Hexarelin was given

Source link See results (3)

Not a test of Hexarelin alone · 1996

15 results

Identification of a new G-protein-linked receptor for growth hormone secretagogues.

Pong et al. 1996Molecular endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.)cited by 128

PMID 8838145DOI 10.1210/mend.10.1.8838145PUB-08838145

Rights unknown4 results where Hexarelin was a tool, carrier or part of a combination

Source link See results (15)

Ex vivo tissue · guinea pig · 2003

3 results

Cardiac effects of ghrelin and its endogenous derivatives des-octanoyl ghrelin and des-Gln14-ghrelin.

Bedendi et al. 2003European journal of pharmacologycited by 122

PMID 12969753DOI 10.1016/s0014-2999(03)02083-1PUB-12969753

Full text at the publisher3 results where Hexarelin was given

Publisher page See results (3)

Ex vivo tissue · mouse and rat · 2002

5 results

CD36 mediates the cardiovascular action of growth hormone-releasing peptides in the heart.

Bodart et al. 2002Circulation researchcited by 114

PMID 11988484DOI 10.1161/01.res.0000016164.02525.b4PUB-11988484

Rights unknown4 results where Hexarelin was given (plus 1 on tools or combinations, listed separately)

Source link See results (5)

Ex vivo tissue · 2001

2 results

Binding of 125I-labeled ghrelin to membranes from human hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Muccioli et al. 2001Journal of endocrinological investigationcited by 107

PMID 11314756DOI 10.1007/bf03343831PUB-11314756

Full text at the publisher1 result where Hexarelin was given

Publisher page See results (2)

Not a test of Hexarelin alone · 2007

2 results

Toward potent ghrelin receptor ligands based on trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazole structure. 2. Synthesis and pharmacological in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Moulin et al. 2007Journal of medicinal chemistrycited by 106

PMID 17927165DOI 10.1021/jm0704550PUB-17927165

Full text at the publisher2 results where Hexarelin was a tool, carrier or part of a combination

Publisher page See results (2)

Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 1999

7 results

Growth hormone-independent cardioprotective effects of hexarelin in the rat.

Locatelli et al. 1999Endocrinologycited by 100

PMID 10465272DOI 10.1210/endo.140.9.6948PUB-10465272

Rights unknown7 results where Hexarelin was given

Source link See results (7)

Not a test of Hexarelin alone · 2006

1 result

Obestatin inhibits feeding but does not modulate GH and corticosterone secretion in the rat.

Bresciani et al. 2006Journal of endocrinological investigationcited by 96

PMID 17033254DOI 10.1007/bf03344175PUB-17033254

Full text at the publisher1 result where Hexarelin was a tool, carrier or part of a combination

Publisher page See results (1)

In vitro (cell-free) · 1998

9 results

Specific receptors for synthetic GH secretagogues in the human brain and pituitary gland.

Muccioli et al. 1998The Journal of endocrinologycited by 94

PMID 9614363DOI 10.1677/joe.0.1570099PUB-09614363

Rights unknown1 result where Hexarelin was given (plus 5 on tools or combinations, listed separately)

Source link See results (9)

Non-randomized trial · 1994

12 results

Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral administration in man.

Ghigo et al. 1994The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismn = 12cited by 92

PMID 8126144DOI 10.1210/jcem.78.3.8126144PUB-08126144

Full text at the publisher12 results where Hexarelin was given

Publisher page See results (12)

In vitro (cell-free) · 2001

2 results

Cortistatin, but not somatostatin, binds to growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptors of human pituitary gland.

Deghenghi et al. 2001Journal of endocrinological investigationcited by 91

PMID 11227737DOI 10.1007/bf03343800PUB-11227737

Full text at the publisher2 results where Hexarelin was given

Publisher page See results (2)

More studies

29 studies in all, 6 on this page

PubMed tag: Review · 1999

Growth hormone in obesity.

Scacchi et al. 1999International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesitycited by 210

PMID 10193871DOI 10.1038/sj.ijo.0800807PUB-10193871

Full text at the publisher

Publisher page

PubMed tag: Review · 2005

Central control of penile erection: role of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Argiolas et al. 2005Progress in neurobiologycited by 152

PMID 16043278DOI 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.06.002PUB-16043278

Full text at the publisher

Publisher page

PubMed tag: review-article, Review · 2018

The CD36-PPARγ Pathway in Metabolic Disorders.

Maréchal et al. 2018International journal of molecular sciencescited by 148

PMID 29883404PMC5983591DOI 10.3390/ijms19051529PUB-29883404

CC BY

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PubMed tag: Review · 1997

Growth hormone-releasing peptides.

Ghigo et al. 1997European journal of endocrinologycited by 120

PMID 9186261DOI 10.1530/eje.0.1360445PUB-09186261

Full text at the publisher

Publisher page

PubMed tag: Review · 2004

The role of oxytocin and the paraventricular nucleus in the sexual behaviour of male mammals.

Argiolas et al. 2004Physiology & behaviorcited by 112

PMID 15488547DOI 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.08.019PUB-15488547

Full text at the publisher

Publisher page

Indexing hint: Animal study · 1994

Corrected

GH-releasing activity of Hexarelin, a new growth hormone releasing peptide, in infant and adult rats.

Deghenghi et al. 1994Life sciencescited by 91

PMID 7910650DOI 10.1016/0024-3205(94)00510-9PUB-07910650

Full text at the publisher

Publisher page Read the notice

No result for Hexarelin (1 study on this page, 20 in all)

These studies name Hexarelin but give no result for it (for example, the results concern another peptide in the study).

PubMed tag: none · 2010

CD36 is a novel serum amyloid A (SAA) receptor mediating SAA binding and SAA-induced signaling in human and rodent cells.

Baranova et al. 2010The Journal of biological chemistrycited by 88

PMID 20075072PMC2832998DOI 10.1074/jbc.m109.007526PUB-20075072

CC BY

Download PDF

Newer studies

PepBank reads each paper before it shows the results. This search looks in Europe PMC for newer papers that PepBank has not read yet.

Hexarelin studies: 245 papers with results

Page 1 of 5

Hexarelin is a stronger GH-releasing peptide than GHRH in normal cycling women but not in anorexia nervosa.
Giusti M · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1997
Randomized controlled trial · 7 results
The growth hormone secretagogue hexarelin stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis via arginine vasopressin.
Korbonits M · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1999
Randomized controlled trial · 15 results
Arginine and growth hormone-releasing hormone restore the blunted growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin in elderly subjects.
Arvat E · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1994
Randomized controlled trial · 9 results
Hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone releasing peptide, stimulates prolactin secretion in acromegalic but not in hyperprolactinaemic patients.
Ciccarelli E · Clinical endocrinology · 1996
Randomized controlled trial · 7 results
Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin in humans. A dose-response study.
Imbimbo BP · European journal of clinical pharmacology · 1994
Randomized controlled trial · 10 results
The effect of an opiate antagonist on the hormonal changes induced by hexarelin.
Korbonits M · Clinical endocrinology · 1995
Randomized controlled trial · 9 results
Interaction of the growth hormone releasing peptide hexarelin with somatostatin.
Massoud AF · Clinical endocrinology · 1997
Randomized controlled trial · 17 results
Ghrelin, a natural GH secretagogue produced by the stomach, induces hyperglycemia and reduces insulin secretion in humans.
Broglio F · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2001
Randomized controlled trial · 4 results
Desmopressin and hexarelin tests in alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome.
Coiro V · Journal of internal medicine · 2000
Randomized controlled trial · 3 results
Acute administration of hexarelin stimulates GH secretion during day and night in normal men.
Loche S · Clinical endocrinology · 1997
Randomized controlled trial · 3 results
Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin, a nonnatural peptidyl GHS, and GH-releasing hormone.
Arvat E · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2001
Randomized controlled trial · 4 results
Acute cardiovascular and hormonal effects of GH and hexarelin, a synthetic GH-releasing peptide, in humans.
Bisi G · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1999
Randomized controlled trial · 8 results
Hexarelin, a synthetic growth-hormone releasing peptide, shows no interaction with corticotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin on adrenocorticotropin and cortisol secretion in humans.
Arvat E · Neuroendocrinology · 1997
Randomized controlled trial · 16 results
Hexarelin induced growth hormone release is influenced by exogenous growth hormone.
Massoud AF · Clinical endocrinology · 1995
Randomized controlled trial · 4 results
Influence of beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the GH-releasing effect of Hexarelin in man.
Arvat E · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1996
Randomized controlled trial · 3 results
Recombinant human IGF-I does not modify the ACTH and cortisol responses to hCRH and hexarelin, a peptidyl GH secretagogue, in humans.
Gianotti L · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2001
Randomized controlled trial · 5 results
Low hexarelin dose and pyridostigmine have additive effect and potentiate to the same extent the GHRH-induced GH response in man.
Arvat E · Clinical endocrinology · 1997
Randomized controlled trial · 12 results
Non-parametric deconvolution provides an objective assessment of GH responsiveness to GH-releasing stimuli in normal subjects.
Sartorio A · Clinical endocrinology · 1997
Randomized controlled trial · 2 results
GH responsiveness to repeated GHRH or hexarelin administration in normal adults.
Sartorio A · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1995
Randomized controlled trial · 4 results
The effect of repeated administration of hexarelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, and growth hormone releasing hormone on growth hormone responsivity.
Massoud AF · Clinical endocrinology · 1996
Randomized controlled trial · 9 results
Hexarelin-induced growth hormone, cortisol, and prolactin release: a dose-response study.
Massoud AF · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1996
Randomized controlled trial · 6 results
The GH, prolactin, ACTH and cortisol responses to Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, undergo different age-related variations.
Arvat E · European journal of endocrinology · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 9 results
Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, before and during puberty.
Bellone J · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1995
Non-randomized trial · 7 results
The growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, in short normal and obese children and in hypopituitary subjects.
Loche S · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1995
Non-randomized trial · 10 results
Adrenocorticotropin and cortisol hyperresponsiveness to hexarelin in patients with Cushing's disease bearing a pituitary microadenoma, but not in those with macroadenoma.
Arvat E · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 10 results
Oestrogen replacement does not restore the reduced GH-releasing activity of Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, in post-menopausal women.
Arvat E · European journal of endocrinology · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 3 results
Effects of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, on the ACTH-, GH- and PRL-releasing activity of hexarelin, a synthetic peptidyl GH secretagogue (GHS), in patients with simple obesity and in patients with Cushing's disease.
Grottoli S · Pituitary · 1999
Non-randomized trial · 10 results
Age-related variations in the neuroendocrine control, more than impaired receptor sensitivity, cause the reduction in the GH-releasing activity of GHRPs in human aging.
Arvat E · Pituitary · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 12 results
Growth hormone-independent cardiotropic activities of growth hormone-releasing peptides in normal subjects, in patients with growth hormone deficiency, and in patients with idiopathic or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Broglio F · Endocrine · 2001
Non-randomized trial · 8 results
The growth hormone response to hexarelin in children: reproducibility and effect of sex steroids.
Loche S · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 7 results
The growth hormone response to hexarelin in patients with different hypothalamic-pituitary abnormalities.
Maghnie M · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 5 results
Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, blunts but does not abolish the ACTH and cortisol response to hexarelin, a GHRP, in obese patients.
Grottoli S · International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2000
Non-randomized trial · 6 results
The effect of body composition on hexarelin-induced growth hormone release in normal elderly subjects.
Rahim A · Clinical endocrinology · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 10 results
Reduction of the somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH and Hexarelin but not to arginine plus GHRH in hyperprolactinemic patients.
Grottoli S · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 5 results
Hexarelin as a test of pituitary reserve in patients with pituitary disease.
Korbonits M · Clinical endocrinology · 1999
Non-randomized trial · 7 results
Differences of hexarelin-induced prolactin and cortisol responses between prepubertal and early pubertal short children and lack of correlation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced gonadotropin response.
Guzzaloni G · Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM · 2000
Non-randomized trial · 5 results
The GH-releasing effect of Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, in newborns is lower than in young adults.
Bartolotta E · Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 6 results
Hypothalamic control of growth hormone (GH) secretion in type I diabetic men: effect of the combined administration of GH-releasing hormone and hexarelin, a novel GHRP-6 analog.
Giustina A · Endocrine research · 1996
Non-randomized trial · 5 results
The growth hormone response to hexarelin in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Cappa M · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 2 results
Dopaminergic modulation of hexarelin-induced GH and PRL secretion in hyperprolactinemia.
Foppiani L · Recenti progressi in medicina · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 6 results
Cardiac effects of hexarelin in hypopituitary adults.
Bisi G · European journal of pharmacology · 1999
Non-randomized trial · 6 results
Short-term administration of intranasal or oral Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, does not desensitize the growth hormone responsiveness in human aging.
Ghigo E · European journal of endocrinology · 1996
Non-randomized trial · 11 results
Absence of desensitization by hexarelin to subsequent GH releasing hormone-mediated GH secretion in patients with anorexia nervosa.
Popovic V · Clinical endocrinology · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 8 results
Corticotropin-releasing effect of hexarelin, a peptidyl GH secretagogue, in normal subjects pretreated with metyrapone or RU-486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, and in patients with Addison's disease.
Arvat E · Neuroendocrinology · 1999
Non-randomized trial · 12 results
GH-independent cardiotropic activities of hexarelin in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction due to dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Imazio M · European journal of heart failure · 2002
Non-randomized trial · 4 results
Effects of the combined administration of hexarelin, a synthetic peptidyl GH secretagogue, and hCRH on ACTH, cortisol and GH secretion in patients with Cushing's disease.
Arvat E · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1999
Non-randomized trial · 10 results
Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral administration in man.
Ghigo E · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1994
Non-randomized trial · 12 results
Adrenocorticotropin- and cortisol-releasing effect of hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide, in normal subjects and patients with Cushing's syndrome.
Ghigo E · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1997
Non-randomized trial · 13 results
Growth hormone releasing activity by intranasal administration of a synthetic hexapeptide (hexarelin).
Laron Z · Clinical endocrinology · 1994
Non-randomized trial · 9 results
Hexarelin, a synthetic GH-releasing peptide, is a powerful stimulus of GH secretion in pubertal children and in adults but not in prepubertal children and in elderly subjects.
Bellone J · Journal of endocrinological investigation · 1998
Non-randomized trial · 8 results

Status and safety

Regulatory and safety

Approval and sport status, and the safety outcomes reported in study results. Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Regulatory status by jurisdiction, with date and source
Jurisdiction	Body	Status	As of	Source
US	FDA	No Drugs@FDA record (openFDA drugsfda searches of openfda.generic_name and products.active_ingredients.name for 'hexarelin' and 'examorelin' on 2026-10-13 returned NOT_FOUND). No DailyMed label (DailyMed SPL search for 'hexarelin' and 'examorelin' returned 0). The FDA orphan products database was not searched; the GSRS record carries no FDA orphan code.	22 Oct 2026	fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
EU	EMA	No match for hexarelin or examorelin in the EMA medicines data file (timestamp 2026-10-13T06:02:34Z, 2,748 records) or the EMA orphan designation data file (timestamp 2026-10-13T06:05:30Z, 3,310 records). Searches for 'growth hormone release' and 'secretagogue' in both files also returned no match. EU national authorisations were not checked.	22 Oct 2026	ema.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
Sport	WADA	Banned in sport (WADA S2.2.4) Named in S2.2.4 (growth hormone releasing factors), in the bullet 'GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) [e.g. alexamorelin, examorelin (hexarelin), GHRP-1, GHRP-2 (pralmorelin), GHRP-3, GHRP-4, GHRP-5 and GHRP-6]'.	2026 List	wada-ama.org (opens in a new tab)
World (WADA 2027 list)	Note	The 2027 Prohibited List, in force from 2027-01-01, names examorelin (hexarelin) in S2.2.4.	22 Oct 2026	wada-ama.org (opens in a new tab)
Italy	Note	Not approved in Italy. The AIFA list of authorised and suspended packs (file of 2026-10-21) and the EMA Article 57 list of medicines authorised in the EEA (2026-10-13) have no entry for hexarelin, examorelin or esamorelina. A past Italian authorisation that was later revoked is unconfirmed: these lists show only current packs. The originator Mediolanum Farmaceutici is an Italian company. AdisInsight lists development as discontinued and the event '15 May 2007: Examorelin is available for licensing'.	22 Oct 2026	drive.aifa.gov.it (opens in a new tab)
Russia	Note	Not checked in the State Register of Medicines (grls.rosminzdrav.ru needs an interactive form). A web search in Russian on 2026-10-13 found no registration entry.	22 Oct 2026	grls.rosminzdrav.ru (opens in a new tab)
Japan, UK, Canada, Australia, China, Korea, other EU states	Note	Not checked.	22 Oct 2026	Not recorded

Safety outcomes

21 safety results for Hexarelin.

Human evidence· 13

Acute intravenous hexarelin caused no significant variation in mean blood pressure across normal, GH-deficient and cardiomyopathy groups.
Non-randomized trialn = 26
Acute intravenous hexarelin caused no significant variation in heart rate across normal, GH-deficient and cardiomyopathy groups.
Non-randomized trialn = 26
In men with GH deficiency and controls, hexarelin did not change catecholamine levels.
Non-randomized trialn = 16
In men with GH deficiency and controls, hexarelin did not change mean blood pressure.
Non-randomized trialn = 16
In men with GH deficiency and controls, hexarelin did not change cardiac output.
Non-randomized trialn = 16
In healthy elderly subjects, neither intranasal nor oral hexarelin induced any side effect.
Non-randomized trialn = 14
None of the subjects experienced adverse side effects after hexarelin administration.
Non-randomized trialn not reported
Chronic hexarelin therapy caused no significant change in 24-h urinary free cortisol.
Non-randomized trialn not reported

Animal evidence· 8

In non-pregnant female mice, hexarelin treatment decreased the ovulation rate.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse
In mice, hexarelin during the first week and/or throughout pregnancy impaired memory acquisition in the offspring, with females more susceptible.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse
In adult mice, chronic hexarelin treatment impaired memory acquisition, similar to the offspring results.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse
In rats, subcutaneous hexarelin, but not ghrelin, significantly worsened indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers by 40%.
Animal study (in vivo)rat
Ulcer worsening
40%
sc hexarelin
In female mice treated with hexarelin 200 µg/kg/day for 30 days before mating and in early pregnancy, the ratio of fetuses to corpora lutea fell significantly.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse
In female mice, hexarelin at both doses gave only a downward trend in the pregnancy index.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse
In male mice, hexarelin at both doses gave only a downward trend in the percentage of females impregnated by each male.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse
In male and female mice, chronic hexarelin had no significant effect on the additional reproductive parameters evaluated.
Animal study (in vivo)mouse

Doses studied · 208

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

2 micrograms/kgHuman
Species
human
Route
intravenous
Duration
Not reported
Design
Randomized controlled trial · n = 15
2 micrograms/kgHuman
Species
human
Route
intravenous
Duration
Not reported
Design
Randomized controlled trial · n = 14
0.5, 1 and 2 micrograms/kgHuman
Species
human
Route
intravenous
Duration
Not reported
Design
Randomized controlled trial · n = 12
0.5 microgram/kgHuman
Species
human
Route
intravenous
Duration
Not reported
Design
Randomized controlled trial · n = 12
1 microgram/kgHuman
Species
human
Route
intravenous
Duration
Not reported
Design
Randomized controlled trial · n = 12
2 micrograms/kgHuman
Species
human
Route
intravenous
Duration
Not reported
Design
Randomized controlled trial · n = 12

Doses studied in the study results, as given in the studies.
Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design
2 micrograms/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Randomized controlled trial · n = 15
2 micrograms/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Randomized controlled trial · n = 14
0.5, 1 and 2 micrograms/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Randomized controlled trial · n = 12
0.5 microgram/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Randomized controlled trial · n = 12
1 microgram/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Randomized controlled trial · n = 12
2 micrograms/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Randomized controlled trial · n = 12

6 of 208 shown

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Data

Data and API

Data version, change history and code for this peptide.

Data version 30856030 Oct 2026

Peptide

Peptide id: PEP-000054
Peptide version: 6
Peptide hash: 24e7192af77c2499…
Data version: 308560

Latest changes

27 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 256701
22 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 254530
21 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 213626
14 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 194698
13 Oct 2026UpdatedData version 188875
13 Oct 2026CreatedData version 175772

For developers

curl -s https://pepbank.io/v1/briefs/hexarelin

Evidence summary for Hexarelin: counts by class, key results with sources, notices, data version.

Peptide as JSON Evidence summary as JSON

Outcome group	Human	Animal	Lab	Computer model	Total
Growth hormone and IGF-1Endocrine and hormones	Human: 270 results from 85 studies: 138 increase, 48 decrease, 55 no significant change, 2 mixed, 27 not reported. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 89 results from 26 studies: 33 increase, 7 decrease, 40 no significant change, 7 mixed, 2 not reported. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 10 results from 6 studies: 8 increase, 1 no significant change, 1 mixed. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	369
Stress hormonesEndocrine and hormones	Human: 84 results from 20 studies: 39 increase, 8 decrease, 34 no significant change, 3 not reported. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 3 results from 2 studies: 2 increase, 1 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	87
Pituitary hormonesEndocrine and hormones	Human: 64 results from 22 studies: 42 increase, 4 decrease, 18 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	No results	No results	No results	64
Heart functionEndocrine and hormones	Human: 19 results from 5 studies: 10 increase, 1 decrease, 8 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 91 results from 19 studies: 39 increase, 46 decrease, 4 no significant change, 2 mixed. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 41 results from 12 studies: 17 increase, 15 decrease, 7 no significant change, 1 mixed, 1 not reported. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	151
Hormone levelsEndocrine and hormones	Human: 17 results from 8 studies: 9 increase, 1 decrease, 7 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	No results	Lab: 6 results from 1 study: 2 increase, 1 decrease, 3 no significant change. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	23
Bone and jointMusculoskeletal	Human: 6 results from 3 studies: 4 increase, 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	Animal: 19 results from 3 studies: 7 increase, 5 decrease, 7 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 3 results from 1 study: 3 increase. Strongest design: In vitro (cells)	No results	28
Blood pressureCardiovascular	Human: 6 results from 4 studies: 1 increase, 1 decrease, 4 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 1 result from 1 study: 1 decrease. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	7
PharmacokineticsPharmacology	Human: 5 results from 2 studies: 5 not reported. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	Animal: 29 results from 5 studies: 3 increase, 1 decrease, 6 no significant change, 19 not reported. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 16 results from 5 studies: 1 increase, 2 no significant change, 13 not reported. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	50
Thyroid functionEndocrine and hormones	Human: 4 results from 1 study: 3 decrease, 1 no significant change. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	No results	No results	No results	4
Glycemic controlMetabolic and weight	Human: 3 results from 2 studies: 1 increase, 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 11 results from 4 studies: 5 increase, 2 decrease, 4 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 1 result from 1 study: 1 no significant change. Strongest design: In vitro (cells)	No results	15
Diagnostic imagingEndocrine and hormones	Human: 3 results from 1 study: 3 not reported. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	No results	No results	No results	3
Linear growthEndocrine and hormones	Human: 3 results from 2 studies: 3 increase. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	No results	No results	No results	3

Outcome group	Human	Animal	Lab	Computer model	Total
Growth hormone and IGF-1Endocrine and hormones	Human: 270 results from 85 studies: 138 increase, 48 decrease, 55 no significant change, 2 mixed, 27 not reported. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 89 results from 26 studies: 33 increase, 7 decrease, 40 no significant change, 7 mixed, 2 not reported. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 10 results from 6 studies: 8 increase, 1 no significant change, 1 mixed. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	369
Stress hormonesEndocrine and hormones	Human: 84 results from 20 studies: 39 increase, 8 decrease, 34 no significant change, 3 not reported. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 3 results from 2 studies: 2 increase, 1 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	87
Pituitary hormonesEndocrine and hormones	Human: 64 results from 22 studies: 42 increase, 4 decrease, 18 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	No results	No results	No results	64
Heart functionEndocrine and hormones	Human: 19 results from 5 studies: 10 increase, 1 decrease, 8 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 91 results from 19 studies: 39 increase, 46 decrease, 4 no significant change, 2 mixed. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 41 results from 12 studies: 17 increase, 15 decrease, 7 no significant change, 1 mixed, 1 not reported. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	151
Hormone levelsEndocrine and hormones	Human: 17 results from 8 studies: 9 increase, 1 decrease, 7 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	No results	Lab: 6 results from 1 study: 2 increase, 1 decrease, 3 no significant change. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	23
Bone and jointMusculoskeletal	Human: 6 results from 3 studies: 4 increase, 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	Animal: 19 results from 3 studies: 7 increase, 5 decrease, 7 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 3 results from 1 study: 3 increase. Strongest design: In vitro (cells)	No results	28
Blood pressureCardiovascular	Human: 6 results from 4 studies: 1 increase, 1 decrease, 4 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 1 result from 1 study: 1 decrease. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	No results	No results	7
PharmacokineticsPharmacology	Human: 5 results from 2 studies: 5 not reported. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	Animal: 29 results from 5 studies: 3 increase, 1 decrease, 6 no significant change, 19 not reported. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 16 results from 5 studies: 1 increase, 2 no significant change, 13 not reported. Strongest design: Ex vivo tissue	No results	50
Thyroid functionEndocrine and hormones	Human: 4 results from 1 study: 3 decrease, 1 no significant change. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	No results	No results	No results	4
Glycemic controlMetabolic and weight	Human: 3 results from 2 studies: 1 increase, 2 no significant change. Strongest design: Randomized controlled trial	Animal: 11 results from 4 studies: 5 increase, 2 decrease, 4 no significant change. Strongest design: Animal study (in vivo)	Lab: 1 result from 1 study: 1 no significant change. Strongest design: In vitro (cells)	No results	15
Diagnostic imagingEndocrine and hormones	Human: 3 results from 1 study: 3 not reported. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	No results	No results	No results	3
Linear growthEndocrine and hormones	Human: 3 results from 2 studies: 3 increase. Strongest design: Non-randomized trial	No results	No results	No results	3

Hexarelin studies and research data

Hexarelin identity

Targets

Sequence and structure

Sequence

Alignment to Ghrelin (human), ghrelin-28

Properties

Net charge by pH

Composition

3D structure

2D structure

Hexarelin results by year and outcome

What the studies measured

Hexarelin studies on growth hormone and growth

Hexarelin studies on hormones

Hexarelin studies on heart and blood vessels

Hexarelin studies on bones and joints

Hexarelin studies on blood levels and clearance

Hexarelin studies on weight and appetite

Hexarelin studies on blood sugar

Hexarelin studies on medical tests and imaging

Hexarelin studies on immune system and inflammation

Hexarelin studies on side effects

Hexarelin studies on sleep

Hexarelin studies on receptors and cell signals

Hexarelin studies on cholesterol and blood fats

Hexarelin studies on sex hormones and fertility

Hexarelin studies on brain and nerves

Hexarelin studies on survival and serious illness

Hexarelin studies on cells, genes and aging

Hexarelin studies on stomach and gut

Hexarelin studies on muscles and tendons

Hexarelin studies on lungs and breathing

Hexarelin studies on liver

Hexarelin studies on memory and thinking

Hexarelin studies on pain

Hexarelin studies on sexual and women's health

Hexarelin studies on daily life and fitness

Hexarelin studies on kidneys and bladder

Hexarelin studies on cancer

Hexarelin trials

Papers

Studies with results

Ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin inhibit cell death in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells through ERK1/2 and PI 3-kinase/AKT.

Ghrelin, a natural GH secretagogue produced by the stomach, induces hyperglycemia and reduces insulin secretion in humans.

Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin, a nonnatural peptidyl GHS, and GH-releasing hormone.

Growth hormone secretagogue binding sites in peripheral human tissues.

Identification, characterization, and biological activity of specific receptors for natural (ghrelin) and synthetic growth hormone secretagogues and analogs in human breast carcinomas and cell lines.

Ghrelin stimulates, whereas des-octanoyl ghrelin inhibits, glucose output by primary hepatocytes.

Ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin both inhibit isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in rat adipocytes via a non-type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

Ghrelin regulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells.

Identification of a new G-protein-linked receptor for growth hormone secretagogues.

Cardiac effects of ghrelin and its endogenous derivatives des-octanoyl ghrelin and des-Gln14-ghrelin.

CD36 mediates the cardiovascular action of growth hormone-releasing peptides in the heart.

Binding of 125I-labeled ghrelin to membranes from human hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Toward potent ghrelin receptor ligands based on trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazole structure. 2. Synthesis and pharmacological in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Growth hormone-independent cardioprotective effects of hexarelin in the rat.

Obestatin inhibits feeding but does not modulate GH and corticosterone secretion in the rat.

Specific receptors for synthetic GH secretagogues in the human brain and pituitary gland.

Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral administration in man.

Cortistatin, but not somatostatin, binds to growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptors of human pituitary gland.

More studies

Growth hormone in obesity.

Central control of penile erection: role of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.

The CD36-PPARγ Pathway in Metabolic Disorders.

Growth hormone-releasing peptides.

The role of oxytocin and the paraventricular nucleus in the sexual behaviour of male mammals.

GH-releasing activity of Hexarelin, a new growth hormone releasing peptide, in infant and adult rats.

CD36 is a novel serum amyloid A (SAA) receptor mediating SAA binding and SAA-induced signaling in human and rodent cells.

Newer studies

Hexarelin studies: 245 papers with results

Regulatory and safety

Human evidence· 13

Animal evidence· 8

Doses studied · 208

Data and API

Peptide

Latest changes

For developers

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