Growth hormone axis peptides

Recombinant hGH (somatropin) is an FDA-approved biologic identical to pituitary GH, with a large body of controlled-trial evidence for growth-hormone deficiency (pediatric and adult) and conditions such as Turner and Noonan syndromes. Unlike the research analogues, it has a defined approval and safety profile.

The most clinically validated compound in this group. A pivotal 412-patient randomized, placebo-controlled trial (Falutz, NEJM 2007) showed ~15% reduction in visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, and it is FDA-approved as EGRIFTA for that indication. Caveats: benefits aren't sustained after stopping, and approval is narrow — not general anti-aging or body-composition use.

A GHRH(1-29) analogue that stimulates endogenous GH release. It was FDA-approved (brand Geref) for growth-hormone-deficiency use in children, but the manufacturer voluntarily withdrew it from the US market in 2008 for commercial reasons — so no active FDA label governs current use, which is mainly compounded and off-label.

A hexapeptide GH secretagogue that potently stimulates GH release in small human studies; its much-discussed cardioprotective effects are shown mainly in animal models. Human evidence is short-term and small-scale, and it is not FDA-approved.

A ghrelin-receptor agonist (pralmorelin) used mainly as a GH-deficiency diagnostic and a probe of ghrelin biology; small human studies show it raises GH and increases appetite. Evidence is short-term and mechanistic, with no long-term outcome trials; not FDA-approved for general use.

A synthetic GH-releasing peptide / ghrelin-receptor agonist. Human data come largely from small pharmacokinetic and GH-stimulation studies; broader cytoprotective claims rest mostly on preclinical work. No large human outcome trials, not FDA-approved.

A long-acting GHRH analogue. In a real placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults (Teichman, JCEM 2006) it produced dose-dependent, sustained increases in GH (~2–10×) and IGF-1 (~1.5–3×) lasting days. Despite that verified human pharmacology, it is not FDA-approved and is used as a research chemical, with no long-term outcome data.

A selective pentapeptide GH secretagogue that raises growth hormone without meaningfully changing prolactin, ACTH, or cortisol. Human data are limited to small, short-term pharmacology studies in healthy volunteers; it has no FDA approval and no large or long-term efficacy/safety trials — a research compound.

A synthetic IGF-1 analogue engineered for higher potency and reduced binding-protein affinity, studied almost exclusively in animal and cell models. Essentially no controlled human outcome trials; not an approved human drug.

CJC-1295 with DAC is a long-acting GHRH analogue that binds albumin to extend its half-life to ~6–8 days. A small placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults showed sustained, dose-dependent rises in GH and IGF-1. Investigational, not FDA-approved; evidence is early-phase only.

Modified GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC) is a DPP-IV-resistant GHRH(1-29) fragment with a short half-life and pulsatile GH-releasing action. Evidence is largely preclinical; rigorous controlled human data for the no-DAC form are lacking. A research analogue, not approved.