Short-term administration of intranasal or oral Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, does not desensitize the growth hormone responsiveness in human aging.

Ghigo E, Arvat E, Gianotti L, Grottoli S, Rizzi G, Ceda GP, Boghen MF, Deghenghi R, Camanni F

European journal of endocrinology1 Oct 1996Cited by 22 (Europe PMC)

PMID8921821DOI10.1530/eje.0.1350407PepBankPUB-08921821

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study11

11 results from studies that gave the peptide. 11 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In healthy elderly subjects, neither intranasal nor oral hexarelin modified prolactin levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, neither nasal nor oral hexarelin changed prolactin levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeProlactin levels
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. intranasal; 20 mg t.i.d. oral · intranasal and oral · 8 days intranasal; 15 days oralAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Neither intranasal nor oral HEX treatment modified PRL or cortisol levels and did not induce any side effect.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182109
02HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In healthy elderly subjects, neither intranasal nor oral hexarelin modified cortisol levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, neither nasal nor oral hexarelin changed cortisol levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol levels
Study
n = 14
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Hormone levels · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. intranasal; 20 mg t.i.d. oral · intranasal and oral · 8 days intranasal; 15 days oralAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Neither intranasal nor oral HEX treatment modified PRL or cortisol levels and did not induce any side effect.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182110
03HumanNon-randomized trialSafety outcome
In healthy elderly subjects, neither intranasal nor oral hexarelin induced any side effect.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, neither nasal nor oral hexarelin caused any side effect in this small study.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeSide effects
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. intranasal; 20 mg t.i.d. oral · intranasal and oral · 8 days intranasal; 15 days oralAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Neither intranasal nor oral HEX treatment modified PRL or cortisol levels and did not induce any side effect.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182111
04HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In healthy elderly subjects, the GH response to intranasal hexarelin was not significantly higher than that induced by iv GHRH.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, nasal hexarelin raised growth hormone no more than injected GHRH did.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to intranasal hexarelin vs iv GHRH
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Intravenous GHRH (1 microgram/kg)
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. · intranasal · 8 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
GH response
229.4 micrograms.l-1.h-1
intranasal hexarelin
GH response
145.8 micrograms.l-1.h-1
iv GHRH
Source sentences
Summary
The GH response to the intranasal HEX administration was not significantly higher than that induced by 1 microgram/kg iv GHRH (229.4 +/- 35.9 vs 145.8 +/- 26.9 micrograms.l-1.h-1)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182101
05HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In healthy elderly subjects, the GH response to intranasal hexarelin was maintained after 8 days of treatment, with a trend toward increase.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, the growth hormone response to nasal hexarelin stayed the same after 8 days of treatment.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to intranasal hexarelin after 8-day treatment
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. · intranasal · 8 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
GH response
342.5 micrograms.l-1.h-1
after 8-day treatment
Source sentences
Summary
and was maintained with a trend towards increase after an 8-day treatment with the peptide (342.5 +/- 199.3 micrograms.l-1.h-1).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182102
06HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In healthy elderly subjects, 8 days of intranasal hexarelin did not significantly modify serum IGF-I.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, 8 days of nasal hexarelin did not change IGF-I levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeSerum IGF-I after intranasal hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. · intranasal · 8 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
IGF-I
138.7 micrograms/l
before
IGF-I
122.4 micrograms/l
after
Source sentences
Summary
On the other hand, HEX treatment did not significantly modify IGF-I (138.7 +/- 11.1 vs 122.4 +/- 14.1 micrograms/l)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182103
07HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In healthy elderly subjects, 8 days of intranasal hexarelin increased IGFBP-3 levels (p < 0.02).
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, 8 days of nasal hexarelin raised IGFBP-3 levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseSerum IGFBP-3 after intranasal hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.25 mg t.i.d. · intranasal · 8 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
IGFBP-3
2.4 mg/l
after
IGFBP-3
1.6 mg/l
before
Source sentences
Summary
but increased IGFBP-3 levels (2.4 +/- 0.2 vs 1.6 +/- 0.2 mg/l, p < 0.02).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182104
08HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In elderly women, the GH response to oral hexarelin was not significantly higher than that to iv GHRH.
In plain wordsIn older women, oral hexarelin raised growth hormone no more than injected GHRH did.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to oral hexarelin vs iv GHRH
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Intravenous GHRH
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
20 mg t.i.d. · oral · 15 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
GH response
257.6 micrograms.l-1.h-1
oral hexarelin
GH response
179 micrograms.l-1.h-1
iv GHRH
Source sentences
Summary
The GH response to the oral HEX administration was also not significantly higher than that to iv GHRH (257.6 +/- 72.0 vs 179.0 +/- 42.8 micrograms.l-1.h-1)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182105
09HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In elderly women, the GH response to oral hexarelin did not change after 15 days of treatment.
In plain wordsIn older women, the growth hormone response to oral hexarelin stayed the same after 15 days of treatment.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to oral hexarelin after 15-day treatment
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
20 mg t.i.d. · oral · 15 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
GH response
237.8 micrograms.l-1.h-1
after 15-day treatment
Source sentences
Summary
and did not change after a 15-day treatment with the peptide (237.8 +/- 42.8 micrograms.l-1.h-1).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182106
10HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In elderly women, 15 days of oral hexarelin slightly but significantly increased serum IGF-I (p < 0.03).
In plain wordsIn older women, 15 days of oral hexarelin slightly raised IGF-I levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseSerum IGF-I after oral hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
20 mg t.i.d. · oral · 15 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
IGF-I
156 micrograms/l
after
IGF-I
141.6 micrograms/l
before
Source sentences
Summary
Both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were slightly but significantly increased by oral HEX treatment (156.0 +/- 10.7 vs 141.6 +/- 13.6 micrograms/l, p < 0.03, 3.4 +/- 0.2 vs 3.1 +/- 0.2 mg/l, p < 0.03, respectively).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182107
11HumanNon-randomized trialActivity measurement
In elderly women, 15 days of oral hexarelin slightly but significantly increased serum IGFBP-3 (p < 0.03).
In plain wordsIn older women, 15 days of oral hexarelin slightly raised IGFBP-3 levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseSerum IGFBP-3 after oral hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Before treatment
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
20 mg t.i.d. · oral · 15 daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
IGFBP-3
3.4 mg/l
after
IGFBP-3
3.1 mg/l
before
Source sentences
Summary
Both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were slightly but significantly increased by oral HEX treatment (156.0 +/- 10.7 vs 141.6 +/- 13.6 micrograms/l, p < 0.03, 3.4 +/- 0.2 vs 3.1 +/- 0.2 mg/l, p < 0.03, respectively).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In study I, the effect of an 8-day treatment with intranasal administration of 1.25 mg (about 18 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX on the acute GH response to the hexapeptide and on serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), prolactin and cortisol levels was studied in seven elderly subjects (four males…
Summary · context
In study II, the same parameters were studied before and after a 15-day treatment with oral administration of 20 mg (about 300 micrograms/kg) t.i.d. HEX in seven elderly women (aged 63-80 years).
Report a problemFND-0892182108

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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