Growth hormone & endocrine research

The endocrine system uses hormones as chemical messengers. A large group of research compounds works by prompting the body to release its own growth hormone rather than supplying the hormone directly — either by imitating growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) or by acting on the ghrelin receptor.

This area also covers IGF-1 variants, parathyroid hormone analogues studied in bone research, and compounds used as diagnostic agents. Evidence quality varies widely: some are approved medicines, while others have never progressed beyond animal work.

25 entries in this research area

• Abaloparatide (Tymlos)Parathyroid hormone analogue approved for osteoporosis and studied in bone research.Controlled clinical trial
• ACE-031 (ACVR2B-Fc)Experimental myostatin-blocking protein whose clinical development was halted on safety grounds.Controlled clinical trial
• AOD-9604 (hGH Fragment 176-191)Fragment of growth hormone studied for effects on fat metabolism, with disappointing trial results.Animal study
• CJC-1295 (without DAC) (Modified GRF 1-29)Short-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue studied in growth hormone research.Early human study
• CJC-1295 with DAC (CJC-1295 DAC)Long-acting version of the same GHRH analogue, modified to stay in circulation for days.Early human study
• CJC/IPA Protocol (CJC-1295/Ipamorelin)Vendor combination of two growth hormone compounds. No trials exist on the combination itself.Early human study
• Erythropoietin (EPO) (EPO)Hormone that drives red blood cell production. Approved for anaemia; banned in competitive sport.Review or meta-analysis
• GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin)Growth hormone-releasing peptide used as a diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency.
• GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone Releasing Hexapeptide)One of the first growth hormone-releasing peptides, notable for strongly stimulating appetite.Animal study
• Gonadorelin (GnRH)Synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone, approved as a diagnostic agent for reproductive function.Early human study
• HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)Pregnancy hormone that acts on the LH receptor. Approved in fertility and hypogonadism medicine.Controlled clinical trial
• Hexarelin (Examorelin)Potent growth hormone-releasing peptide studied alongside GHRH in endocrine research.Animal study
• HGH (Somatropin)Recombinant human growth hormone. An approved medicine for growth hormone deficiency.Controlled clinical trial
• HGH Fragment 176-191 (HGH Frag)The tail end of the growth hormone molecule, studied for effects on fat metabolism.Animal study
• HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin)Purified FSH and LH preparation from urine, long used in fertility medicine and endocrine research.Controlled clinical trial
• IGF-1 DES (Des(1-3) IGF-1)Shortened IGF-1 variant studied in localised muscle growth research. Never approved for human use.Controlled clinical trial
• IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1)Long-acting IGF-1 analogue used as a laboratory reagent. Never approved for human use.Controlled clinical trial
• IpamorelinIn catalogueSelective growth hormone secretagogue studied for stimulating growth hormone with little effect on cortisol.Early human study
• MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)Muscle-produced IGF-1 variant released after mechanical stress, studied in muscle repair research.
• MK-677 (Ibutamoren)Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist studied in growth hormone research; development discontinued.Controlled clinical trial
• PEG-MGF (Pegylated MGF)Chemically modified mechano growth factor with a longer half-life. No human trials exist.
• Sermorelin (Sermorelin acetate)GHRH analogue formerly approved for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency, withdrawn commercially.
• Teriparatide (PTH 1-34)The active fragment of parathyroid hormone, approved for osteoporosis and widely studied in bone research.
• Tesa/IPA Protocol (Tesa-IPA)Vendor combination of tesamorelin and ipamorelin. No trials exist on the blend itself.Early human study
• Tesamorelin (Egrifta SV)In catalogueGHRH analogue approved for HIV-associated excess abdominal fat; studied for visceral fat specifically.Controlled clinical trial