Hexarelin-induced growth hormone response in short stature. Comparison with growth hormone-releasing hormone plus pyridostigmine and arginine plus estrogen.

Guzzaloni G, Grugni G, Morabito F

Journal of endocrinological investigation1 May 1999

PMID10401710DOI10.1007/bf03343574PepBankPUB-10401710

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 study15

13 results from studies that gave the peptide. 13 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with constitutional growth delay, hexarelin at the lower dose produced a measurable peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with constitutional growth delay, a lower dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 1 microg/kg in constitutional growth delay
Study
n = 11
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
23.6 ng/ml
CGD, HEX 1
AUC
1146 ng/min x ml
CGD, HEX 1
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 1 were 26.8+/-10.5 ng/ml and 1448+/-514 ng/min x ml in FSS, 23.6+/-14.4 ng/ml and 1146+/-750 ng/min x ml in CGD, 36.9+/-21.5 ng/ml and 2048+/-1288 ng/min x ml in NSD, 9.4+/-5.8 ng/ml and 498+/-200 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax and AUC in FSS and CGD, p<0.05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171002
02HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with constitutional growth delay, hexarelin at the higher dose produced a measurable peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with constitutional growth delay, a higher dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 2 microg/kg in constitutional growth delay
Study
n = 11
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
32.5 ng/ml
CGD, HEX 2
AUC
1613 ng/min x ml
CGD, HEX 2
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 2 were 37.7+/-16 ng/ml and 1979+/-888 ng/min x ml in FSS, 32.5+/-16.2 ng/ml and 1613+/-237 ng/min x ml in CGD, 39.7+/-20.7 ng/ml and 2366+/-1569 ng/min xml in NSD, 13.4+/-4.2 ng/ml and 645+/-293 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax in FSS, CGD and NSD p<0.01 vs GHD; AUC in NSD, p<05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171006
03HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with GH neurosecretory dysfunction, hexarelin at the lower dose produced a measurable peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with GH neurosecretory dysfunction, a lower dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 1 microg/kg in GH neurosecretory dysfunction
Study
n = 6
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
36.9 ng/ml
NSD, HEX 1
AUC
2048 ng/min x ml
NSD, HEX 1
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 1 were 26.8+/-10.5 ng/ml and 1448+/-514 ng/min x ml in FSS, 23.6+/-14.4 ng/ml and 1146+/-750 ng/min x ml in CGD, 36.9+/-21.5 ng/ml and 2048+/-1288 ng/min x ml in NSD, 9.4+/-5.8 ng/ml and 498+/-200 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax and AUC in FSS and CGD, p<0.05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171003
04HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with GH neurosecretory dysfunction, hexarelin at the higher dose produced a measurable peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with GH neurosecretory dysfunction, a higher dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 2 microg/kg in GH neurosecretory dysfunction
Study
n = 6
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
39.7 ng/ml
NSD, HEX 2
AUC
2366 ng/min x ml
NSD, HEX 2
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 2 were 37.7+/-16 ng/ml and 1979+/-888 ng/min x ml in FSS, 32.5+/-16.2 ng/ml and 1613+/-237 ng/min x ml in CGD, 39.7+/-20.7 ng/ml and 2366+/-1569 ng/min xml in NSD, 13.4+/-4.2 ng/ml and 645+/-293 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax in FSS, CGD and NSD p<0.01 vs GHD; AUC in NSD, p<05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171007
05HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with familial short stature, hexarelin at the lower dose produced a measurable peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with familial short stature, a lower dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 1 microg/kg in familial short stature
Study
n = 5
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
26.8 ng/ml
FSS, HEX 1
AUC
1448 ng/min x ml
FSS, HEX 1
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 1 were 26.8+/-10.5 ng/ml and 1448+/-514 ng/min x ml in FSS, 23.6+/-14.4 ng/ml and 1146+/-750 ng/min x ml in CGD, 36.9+/-21.5 ng/ml and 2048+/-1288 ng/min x ml in NSD, 9.4+/-5.8 ng/ml and 498+/-200 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax and AUC in FSS and CGD, p<0.05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171001
06HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with isolated GH deficiency, hexarelin at the lower dose produced a low peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with isolated growth hormone deficiency, a lower dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone only a little.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 1 microg/kg in isolated GH deficiency
Study
n = 5
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
9.4 ng/ml
GHD, HEX 1
AUC
498 ng/min x ml
GHD, HEX 1
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 1 were 26.8+/-10.5 ng/ml and 1448+/-514 ng/min x ml in FSS, 23.6+/-14.4 ng/ml and 1146+/-750 ng/min x ml in CGD, 36.9+/-21.5 ng/ml and 2048+/-1288 ng/min x ml in NSD, 9.4+/-5.8 ng/ml and 498+/-200 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax and AUC in FSS and CGD, p<0.05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171004
07HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with familial short stature, hexarelin at the higher dose produced a measurable peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with familial short stature, a higher dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 2 microg/kg in familial short stature
Study
n = 5
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
37.7 ng/ml
FSS, HEX 2
AUC
1979 ng/min x ml
FSS, HEX 2
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 2 were 37.7+/-16 ng/ml and 1979+/-888 ng/min x ml in FSS, 32.5+/-16.2 ng/ml and 1613+/-237 ng/min x ml in CGD, 39.7+/-20.7 ng/ml and 2366+/-1569 ng/min xml in NSD, 13.4+/-4.2 ng/ml and 645+/-293 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax in FSS, CGD and NSD p<0.01 vs GHD; AUC in NSD, p<05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171005
08HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In subjects with isolated GH deficiency, hexarelin at the higher dose produced a low peak and total GH response.
In plain wordsIn people with isolated growth hormone deficiency, a higher dose of hexarelin raised growth hormone only a little.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableGH response to hexarelin 2 microg/kg in isolated GH deficiency
Study
n = 5
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Cmax
13.4 ng/ml
GHD, HEX 2
AUC
645 ng/min x ml
GHD, HEX 2
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC after HEX 2 were 37.7+/-16 ng/ml and 1979+/-888 ng/min x ml in FSS, 32.5+/-16.2 ng/ml and 1613+/-237 ng/min x ml in CGD, 39.7+/-20.7 ng/ml and 2366+/-1569 ng/min xml in NSD, 13.4+/-4.2 ng/ml and 645+/-293 ng/min x ml in GHD (Cmax in FSS, CGD and NSD p<0.01 vs GHD; AUC in NSD, p<05 vs GHD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171008
09HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
After the lower hexarelin dose, peak and total GH responses in familial short stature and constitutional growth delay were significantly higher than in isolated GH deficiency.
In plain wordsAfter a lower hexarelin dose, growth hormone rose more in familial short stature and constitutional growth delay than in growth hormone deficiency.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseGH response to hexarelin 1 microg/kg versus isolated GH deficiency
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
isolated GH deficiency
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax and AUC in FSS and CGD, p<0.05 vs GHD
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171009
10HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
After the higher hexarelin dose, peak GH was significantly higher in familial short stature, constitutional growth delay and GH neurosecretory dysfunction than in isolated GH deficiency, and total GH was higher in GH neurosecretory dysfunction.
In plain wordsAfter a higher hexarelin dose, growth hormone rose more in three short stature groups than in growth hormone deficiency.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseGH response to hexarelin 2 microg/kg versus isolated GH deficiency
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
isolated GH deficiency
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Cmax in FSS, CGD and NSD p<0.01 vs GHD; AUC in NSD, p<05 vs GHD
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171010
11HumanNon-randomized trialOther
In the diagnosis of GH deficiency, the lower hexarelin dose had a specificity of 62%.
In plain wordsAs a test for growth hormone deficiency, the lower hexarelin dose was specific 62% of the time.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableSpecificity of hexarelin 1 microg/kg test
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Diagnostic imaging · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Specificity
62%
HEX 1
Source sentences
Summary
Specificity was 62% for HEX 1 and 75% for HEX 2, GHRH+PD and ARG+EE.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171011
12HumanNon-randomized trialOther
In the diagnosis of GH deficiency, the higher hexarelin dose had a specificity of 75%.
In plain wordsAs a test for growth hormone deficiency, the higher hexarelin dose was specific 75% of the time.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableSpecificity of hexarelin 2 microg/kg test
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Diagnostic imaging · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Specificity
75%
HEX 2
Source sentences
Summary
Specificity was 62% for HEX 1 and 75% for HEX 2, GHRH+PD and ARG+EE.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171012
13HumanNon-randomized trialOther
The combination of the two hexarelin doses gave the largest percentage of false positive results among the test associations.
In plain wordsUsing both hexarelin doses together gave the most false positive results among the test combinations.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableFalse positive rate of the two hexarelin doses combined
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Diagnostic imaging · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 and 2 microg/kg · intravenousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
False positives
20%
FSS
False positives
27%
CGD
False positives
33%
NSD
Source sentences
Summary
HEX 1 + HEX 2 was the association with the largest percentage of false positives (20% in FSS, 27% in CGD and 33% in NSD)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Report a problemFND-1040171013

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

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.

14HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialOther
Combining the lower hexarelin dose with the GHRH plus pyridostigmine test gave false positive results in constitutional growth delay.
In plain wordsCombining the lower hexarelin dose with another test gave some false positive results in constitutional growth delay.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
Not applicableFalse positive rate of hexarelin 1 microg/kg with GHRH plus pyridostigmine
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Diagnostic imaging · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
False positives
9%
CGD
Source sentences
Summary
HEX 1 +GHRH+PD resulted in 9% in CGD
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
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-1040171014
15HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneNon-randomized trialOther
Combining either hexarelin dose with the GHRH plus pyridostigmine test or the arginine plus ethinylestradiol test gave no false positive responses.
In plain wordsCombining either hexarelin dose with one of two other tests gave no false positive responses.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeFalse positive rate of hexarelin combined with other tests
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Diagnostic imaging · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
while the combined use of HEX 1 or HEX 2 with GHRH+PD or ARG+EE and of GHRH+PD with ARG+EE did not show false positive responses
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
in 5 subjects with familial short stature (FSS), 11 with constitutional growth delay (CGD), 6 with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD), and 5 with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
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-1040171015

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

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

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

MeSH terms

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