GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin-receptor agonist that also binds the CD36 receptor. Research consists of rodent, pig and hamster studies, including a 2024 rat study.
Established: GHRP-6 is a ghrelin analog that binds and activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) and also binds the ectodomain of the CD36 receptor [1]. Proposed: researchers attribute the tissue findings in animal models to CD36 and/or GHS-R1a signaling, with higher Bcl-2/Bax ratios and lower oxidative-stress markers, but the relative contribution of each receptor has not been separated [1]. In a rat gastric-stress model, authors proposed a peripheral effect via suppression of vagal activity [3].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHRP-6 in a rat doxorubicin heart model [1] | Rat Male Wistar rats, doxorubicin-induced heart-damage model, 52 days; GHRP-6 vs saline vs untreated (n=12 each) | Survival 84% vs 42% with saline; damaged myofibrils 42% vs 91%; LVEF stayed in normal range; lower ALAT and renal tubule damage scores. | Peer-reviewed Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024 |
| GHRP-6 in a pig coronary-occlusion model [2] | Other animal Pig coronary-occlusion model | Researchers reported infarct size more than 70% smaller than controls, with lower oxidant cytotoxicity markers. | Peer-reviewed Clinical Science 2007 |
| Gastric lesions in water-immersion stress [3] | Rat Male Wistar rats, 6-hour water-immersion restraint stress model; 11 groups, n=6 each | Gastric lesion area was 12.0 mm² with a single prior GHRP-6 injection vs 81.8 mm² with stress alone. | Peer-reviewed World Journal of Gastroenterology 2012 |
| GHRP-6 in a hamster heart-muscle model [4] | Other animal δ-sarcoglycan-deficient TO-2 hamsters (inherited heart-muscle model), 4 weeks | Researchers reported better left-ventricular function and less left-ventricular dilation than untreated hamsters. | Peer-reviewed Cardiovascular Research 2004 |
| Cerebellar cell death in aged rats [5] | Rat Aged rats, GHRP-6 vs control | Researchers reported lower cerebellar cell-death markers with GHRP-6 than in control aged rats. | Peer-reviewed NeuroReport 2003 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
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