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, Maccagno B, Ramunni J, Di Vito L, Broglio F, Deghenghi R, Camanni F, Ghigo E

Neuroendocrinology1 Dec 1997Cited by 25 (Europe PMC)

PMID9430449DOI10.1159/000127269PepBankPUB-09430449

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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 study16

15 results from studies that gave the peptide. 15 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin increased ACTH secretion.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin raised ACTH levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH rise after hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
ACTH peak
26.3 pg/ml
after hexarelin
ACTH
15.8 pg/ml
baseline
Source sentences
Summary
HEX increased ACTH and cortisol secretion (peak, mean +/- SEM: 26.3 +/- 5.1 vs. 15.8 +/- 3.1 pg/ml and 145.0 +/- 11.4 vs. 131.7 +/- 11.7 microg/l, p < 0.01, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044901
02HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin increased cortisol secretion.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin raised cortisol levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseCortisol rise after hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cortisol peak
145 microg/l
after hexarelin
Cortisol
131.7 microg/l
baseline
Source sentences
Summary
HEX increased ACTH and cortisol secretion (peak, mean +/- SEM: 26.3 +/- 5.1 vs. 15.8 +/- 3.1 pg/ml and 145.0 +/- 11.4 vs. 131.7 +/- 11.7 microg/l, p < 0.01, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044902
03HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the ACTH rise with hexarelin overlapped with that induced by AVP.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin and vasopressin raised ACTH to a similar extent.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH response, hexarelin vs AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
AVP
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
to levels overlapping with those induced by AVP (27.9 +/- 6.1 vs. 13.1 +/- 3.5 pg/ml and 167.6 +/- 16.2 vs. 113.3 +/- 9.4 microg/l, p < 0.01, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044903
04HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the cortisol rise with hexarelin overlapped with that induced by AVP.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin and vasopressin raised cortisol to a similar extent.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol response, hexarelin vs AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
AVP
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
to levels overlapping with those induced by AVP (27.9 +/- 6.1 vs. 13.1 +/- 3.5 pg/ml and 167.6 +/- 16.2 vs. 113.3 +/- 9.4 microg/l, p < 0.01, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044904
05HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the ACTH peak with hexarelin was similar to that elicited by hCRH.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin and human CRH raised ACTH to a similar peak.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH response, hexarelin vs hCRH (peak)
Study
n = 7
Comparator
hCRH
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
similar to those elicited by hCRH (28.1 +/- 4.6 vs. 17.4 +/- 3.1 pg/ml and 182.7 +/- 22.8 vs. 114.8 +/- 12.3 microg/l, p < 0.02, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044905
06HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the cortisol peak with hexarelin was similar to that elicited by hCRH.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin and human CRH raised cortisol to a similar peak.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol response, hexarelin vs hCRH (peak)
Study
n = 7
Comparator
hCRH
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
similar to those elicited by hCRH (28.1 +/- 4.6 vs. 17.4 +/- 3.1 pg/ml and 182.7 +/- 22.8 vs. 114.8 +/- 12.3 microg/l, p < 0.02, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044906
07HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the ACTH response to hexarelin, measured as area under the curve, was lower than the response to hCRH.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin raised total ACTH less than human CRH did.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseACTH area under the curve, hexarelin vs hCRH
Study
n = 7
Comparator
hCRH
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The ACTH but not the cortisol response to hCRH was higher (p < 0.02) than those to HEX
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044907
08HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the cortisol response to hexarelin, measured as area under the curve, did not differ from the response to hCRH.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin and human CRH raised total cortisol to a similar extent.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol area under the curve, hexarelin vs hCRH
Study
n = 7
Comparator
hCRH
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The ACTH but not the cortisol response to hCRH was higher (p < 0.02) than those to HEX when evaluated as area under the curve.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044908
09HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin given with AVP had no significant interaction on ACTH peak levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, giving hexarelin with vasopressin did not change ACTH beyond each drug alone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH, interaction of hexarelin with AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Hexarelin alone and AVP alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
ACTH peak, hexarelin plus AVP
40.7 pg/ml
healthy volunteers
Source sentences
Summary
The co-administration of HEX and AVP had no significant interaction on ACTH and cortisol peak levels (40.7 micro 5.3 pg/ml and 168.8 +/- 13.5 microg/l, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044909
10HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin given with AVP had no significant interaction on cortisol peak levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, giving hexarelin with vasopressin did not change cortisol beyond each drug alone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol, interaction of hexarelin with AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Hexarelin alone and AVP alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cortisol peak, hexarelin plus AVP
168.8 microg/l
healthy volunteers
Source sentences
Summary
The co-administration of HEX and AVP had no significant interaction on ACTH and cortisol peak levels (40.7 micro 5.3 pg/ml and 168.8 +/- 13.5 microg/l, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044910
11HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin given with hCRH had a less than additive effect on ACTH secretion.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin with human CRH raised ACTH by less than the two drugs added together.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseACTH, interaction of hexarelin with hCRH
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Hexarelin alone and hCRH alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
ACTH peak, hexarelin plus hCRH
53.3 pg/ml
healthy volunteers
Source sentences
Summary
On the other hand, the co-administration of HEX and hCRH had a less than additive effect on ACTH and cortisol secretion (53.3 +/- 11.2 pg/ml and 204.0 +/- 13.7 microg/l, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044911
12HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin given with hCRH had a less than additive effect on cortisol secretion.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin with human CRH raised cortisol by less than the two drugs added together.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseCortisol, interaction of hexarelin with hCRH
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Hexarelin alone and hCRH alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cortisol peak, hexarelin plus hCRH
204 microg/l
healthy volunteers
Source sentences
Summary
On the other hand, the co-administration of HEX and hCRH had a less than additive effect on ACTH and cortisol secretion (53.3 +/- 11.2 pg/ml and 204.0 +/- 13.7 microg/l, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044912
13HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, adding hexarelin did not change the ACTH response to CRH plus AVP.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, adding hexarelin did not change the ACTH response to CRH plus vasopressin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH, effect of adding hexarelin to CRH plus AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
CRH plus AVP
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
ACTH peak, hexarelin plus CRH plus AVP
135.5 pg/ml
healthy volunteers
Source sentences
Summary
HEX did not modify the effect of CRH + AVP on both ACTH (135.5 +/- 22.0 pg/ml) and cortisol secretion (261.1 +/- 13.2 microg/l).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044913
14HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, adding hexarelin did not change the cortisol response to CRH plus AVP.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, adding hexarelin did not change the cortisol response to CRH plus vasopressin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol, effect of adding hexarelin to CRH plus AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
CRH plus AVP
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cortisol peak, hexarelin plus CRH plus AVP
261.1 microg/l
healthy volunteers
Source sentences
Summary
HEX did not modify the effect of CRH + AVP on both ACTH (135.5 +/- 22.0 pg/ml) and cortisol secretion (261.1 +/- 13.2 microg/l).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044914
15HumanRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, hexarelin raised GH levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, hexarelin raised growth hormone levels.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseGH rise after hexarelin
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2.0 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
GH peak
55.7 microg/l
after hexarelin
GH
2.7 microg/l
baseline
Source sentences
Summary
The GH response to HEX (55.7 +/- 19.8 vs. 2.7 +/- 1.9 microg/l, p < 0.005)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
Report a problemFND-0943044915

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Hexarelin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Hexarelin.

16HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialActivity measurement
In healthy young volunteers, the GH response to hexarelin was unaffected by co-administration of CRH alone or with AVP.
In plain wordsIn healthy young adults, adding CRH or vasopressin did not change the growth hormone response to hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH response to hexarelin with CRH and/or AVP
Study
n = 7
Comparator
Hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
was unaffected by the administration of CRH alone (53.5 +/- 21.0 microg/l) and/or AVP co-administration (60.2 +/- 21.2 and 45.9 +/- 10.6 microg/l, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To clarify the mechanisms by which HEX stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in man, in 7 healthy young volunteers we studied the effects of HEX (2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH; 2.0 microg/kg i.v.) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP; 0.17 U/kg i.m.) on ACTH and cortisol secretion.
In this study, Hexarelin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Hexarelin.
Report a problemFND-0943044916

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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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