The growth hormone secretagogue hexarelin stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis via arginine vasopressin.

Korbonits M, Kaltsas G, Perry LA, Putignano P, Grossman AB, Besser GM, Trainer PJ

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism1 Jul 1999Cited by 62 (Europe PMC)

PMID10404825DOI10.1210/jcem.84.7.5811PepBankPUB-10404825

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

9 results from studies that gave the peptide. 9 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, hexarelin significantly increased ACTH release.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin raised ACTH.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH release after hexarelin
Study
n = 15
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
ACTH AUC
3444 ng/L x 125 min
hexarelin
Source sentences
Summary
Hexarelin significantly increased ACTH and cortisol release (area under the curve, 3,444+/-696 ng/L x 125 min and 45,844+/-2,925 nmol/L x 125 min, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482501
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, hexarelin significantly increased cortisol release.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin raised cortisol.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseCortisol release after hexarelin
Study
n = 15
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Cortisol AUC
45,844 nmol/L x 125 min
hexarelin
Source sentences
Summary
Hexarelin significantly increased ACTH and cortisol release (area under the curve, 3,444+/-696 ng/L x 125 min and 45,844+/-2,925 nmol/L x 125 min, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482502
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, CRH alone caused similar or slightly higher ACTH release than hexarelin alone.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin raised ACTH about as much as CRH did, or slightly less.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH release after CRH alone versus hexarelin alone
Study
n = 15
Comparator
CRH alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
CRH on its own caused similar or slightly higher ACTH and cortisol release than hexarelin alone.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482507
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, CRH alone caused similar or slightly higher cortisol release than hexarelin alone.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin raised cortisol about as much as CRH did, or slightly less.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol release after CRH alone versus hexarelin alone
Study
n = 15
Comparator
CRH alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
CRH on its own caused similar or slightly higher ACTH and cortisol release than hexarelin alone.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482508
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, the ACTH rise from desmopressin alone was not augmented by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding hexarelin to desmopressin did not increase the ACTH rise.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH rise from desmopressin alone with and without hexarelin
Study
n = 15
Comparator
desmopressin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Desmopressin given alone elicited a rapid rise in circulating ACTH and cortisol, but its effects were less than those of any other treatment and were not augmented by hexarelin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482509
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, the cortisol rise from desmopressin alone was not augmented by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding hexarelin to desmopressin did not increase the cortisol rise.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol rise from desmopressin alone with and without hexarelin
Study
n = 15
Comparator
desmopressin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Desmopressin given alone elicited a rapid rise in circulating ACTH and cortisol, but its effects were less than those of any other treatment and were not augmented by hexarelin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482510
07HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, hexarelin caused significant GH release.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin raised growth hormone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseGH release after hexarelin
Study
n = 15
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Hexarelin also caused significant GH and PRL release
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482511
08HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, hexarelin caused significant prolactin release.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin raised prolactin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreasePRL release after hexarelin
Study
n = 15
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Hexarelin also caused significant GH and PRL release
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482512
09HumanRandomized controlled trialOther
In healthy young men, visual analog scales showed an acute small increment in appetite with hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, hexarelin caused a small short-term rise in appetite.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseAppetite on visual analog scale
Study
n = 15
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Visual analog scales showed an acute small increment in appetite with hexarelin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
Report a problemFND-1040482515

Studies that did not test the peptide alone6

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.

10HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, adding CRH augmented the ACTH release caused by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding CRH to hexarelin raised ACTH more than hexarelin alone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseACTH release after hexarelin plus CRH
Study
n = 15
Comparator
hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
ACTH AUC
6580 ng/mL x 125 min
hexarelin plus CRH
Source sentences
Summary
and this effect was augmented by the addition of CRH in a dose that on its own produces maximal stimulation (6,580+/-1,572 ng/mL x 125 min and 63,170+/-2,616 nmol/L x 125 min; P = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
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-1040482503
11HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, adding CRH augmented the cortisol release caused by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding CRH to hexarelin raised cortisol more than hexarelin alone.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseCortisol release after hexarelin plus CRH
Study
n = 15
Comparator
hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
Cortisol AUC
63,170 nmol/L x 125 min
hexarelin plus CRH
Source sentences
Summary
and this effect was augmented by the addition of CRH in a dose that on its own produces maximal stimulation (6,580+/-1,572 ng/mL x 125 min and 63,170+/-2,616 nmol/L x 125 min; P = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
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-1040482504
12HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, adding desmopressin did not influence the ACTH release caused by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding desmopressin to hexarelin did not change the ACTH rise.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeACTH release after hexarelin plus desmopressin
Study
n = 15
Comparator
hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
ACTH AUC
3540 ng/mL x 125 min
hexarelin plus desmopressin
Source sentences
Summary
but was not influenced by the addition of desmopressin (3,540+/-852 ng/mL x 125 min and 35,319+/-3,252 nmol/L x 125 min; not significant).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
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-1040482505
13HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, adding desmopressin did not influence the cortisol release caused by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding desmopressin to hexarelin did not change the cortisol rise.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol release after hexarelin plus desmopressin
Study
n = 15
Comparator
hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
Cortisol AUC
35,319 nmol/L x 125 min
hexarelin plus desmopressin
Source sentences
Summary
but was not influenced by the addition of desmopressin (3,540+/-852 ng/mL x 125 min and 35,319+/-3,252 nmol/L x 125 min; not significant).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
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-1040482506
14HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, coadministration of CRH or desmopressin did not influence the GH release caused by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding CRH or desmopressin did not change the growth hormone rise from hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changeGH release after hexarelin with CRH or desmopressin
Study
n = 15
Comparator
hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
but these effects were not influenced by the coadministration of CRH or desmopressin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
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-1040482513
15HumanNot a test of Hexarelin aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy young men, coadministration of CRH or desmopressin did not influence the prolactin release caused by hexarelin.
In plain wordsIn healthy young men, adding CRH or desmopressin did not change the prolactin rise from hexarelin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
No significant changePRL release after hexarelin with CRH or desmopressin
Study
n = 15
Comparator
hexarelin alone
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
but these effects were not influenced by the coadministration of CRH or desmopressin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied the effects of hexarelin, CRH, and desmopressin, an AVP analog, on the stimulation of the HPA axis in 15 healthy young male volunteers.
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-1040482514

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

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