What it is
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the first 29 residues of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29), described as the shortest fragment with the full biological activity of GHRH. It was approved in the United States as Geref for testing pituitary growth hormone secretion and for idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in children; the manufacturer discontinued it in 2008, and the FDA later determined that the withdrawal was not for reasons of safety or effectiveness. It appears in paediatric endocrinology and in research on the age-related decline in growth hormone.
How it works
It acts on GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary to stimulate release of the body's own growth hormone, which in turn raises IGF-1. Research has framed it as a way to raise growth hormone while preserving its physiological pulsatile release, in contrast with giving growth hormone directly.
Regulatory status
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Research compound
- In clinical trials
- Approved medicine
Not approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA. Some are registered in individual countries. Supplied for laboratory research only.
What published research is studying
- Height velocity in prepubertal children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency
- Diagnostic testing of pituitary growth hormone reserve
- Growth hormone and IGF-1 levels in healthy older men (small short-term studies)
- Muscle strength, body composition, and glucose tolerance in older adults
Key findings
In a 1-year multicentre open-label study in 110 previously untreated prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency, 86 of whom were analysed for efficacy, mean height velocity rose from 4.1 cm per year at baseline to 8.0 cm per year at 6 months and 7.2 cm per year at 12 months, with 74% classed as good responders at 6 months.
Thorner M et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996In a study of 24 slowly growing prepubertal children with idiopathic short stature or growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction, growth rates rose during 6 months of GHRH 1-29, but 6 months after it stopped, overall growth rates were no longer significantly different from pre-treatment rates.
Schwartz ID et al., J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2000In 10 healthy older men given twice-daily GHRH 1-29 for 14 days, the higher-dose arm raised mean 24-hour growth hormone and IGF-1 to levels no longer significantly different from those of 9 young men, with no change in fasting glucose.
Corpas E et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1992In 11 healthy men aged 64 to 76 given nightly GHRH 1-29 for 6 weeks, nocturnal growth hormone release increased and 2 of 6 strength measures improved, but IGF-1, DEXA body composition, and glucose tolerance did not change.
Vittone J et al., Metabolism 1997
What the studies measured
Study durations
- Paediatric growth hormone deficiency study: up to 12 months, with height velocity assessed every 3 to 6 months (Thorner et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996).
- Short stature study: 6 months of nightly injections, then 6 months of follow-up off treatment (Schwartz et al., J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2000).
- Older men, twice-daily study: two 14-day courses separated by a 14-day break (Corpas et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1992).
- Older men, nightly study: 6 weeks (Vittone et al., Metabolism 1997).
Endpoints
- Height velocity and bone age progression
- 24-hour and nocturnal growth hormone secretion profiles
- Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3
- Muscle strength and DEXA body composition
- Fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance
How strong is the evidence?
Human evidence comes from small, mostly open-label studies published in the 1990s, chiefly in children with growth hormone deficiency, and the studies in older adults enrolled about 10 men each for 6 weeks or less.
Common questions
Is Sermorelin an approved medicine?
Research compound. Not approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA. Some are registered in individual countries. Supplied for laboratory research only.
How much human research is there on Sermorelin?
Human evidence comes from small, mostly open-label studies published in the 1990s, chiefly in children with growth hormone deficiency, and the studies in older adults enrolled about 10 men each for 6 weeks or less.
Does UU supply Sermorelin?
Yes, as premium-grade research material for laboratory use. Every batch is tested by an independent lab and the certificate of analysis is published.