GHRP-2 Acetate 5 mg Research Peptide (Pralmorelin)

What is GHRP-2 acetate?

GHRP-2 acetate is the acetate salt of growth hormone releasing peptide-2, a synthetic hexapeptide with the nonproprietary name pralmorelin. This product is a 5 mg PEPTYVA vial for laboratory research use only. It is not a medicine and is not for human or veterinary use.

Its sequence is D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2. The two D-amino acids at the N-terminus, including the bulky D-2-naphthylalanine, set it apart from GHRP-6, which begins with histidine and D-tryptophan.

Salt form changes the weight of each molecule. KEGG lists the dihydrochloride used in the Japanese product at 890.89 g/mol, while PubChem gives 818.0 g/mol for the free base. This vial is an acetate salt, so its net peptide content is defined on the lot Certificate of Analysis.

How is GHRP-2 studied in research?

GHRP-2 acts on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), which KEGG lists as its target. This receptor pathway is separate from the GHRH receptor, so GHRP-2 lets researchers probe GH release through a second route.

Its main use in people is as a diagnostic stimulus for pituitary GH reserve. A 2007 validation study enrolled 77 healthy adults and 58 adults with severe GH deficiency, defined by the insulin tolerance test, and examined how well the GH response to GHRP-2 separated the two groups. A 2013 Japanese study of 71 adults with pituitary tumors noted that the GHRP-2 test is one of the recommended alternatives to the insulin tolerance test in Japan.

What does the current evidence show?

GHRP-2's human data come mainly from diagnostic endocrine testing. In a 1995 randomized study in eight healthy men, GHRP-2 released more GH than GHRH(1-29) under the same test conditions.

The 2007 validation study reported that peak GH after GHRP-2 was far lower in adults with GH deficiency than in healthy adults, that the response was only mildly influenced by age and adiposity, and that repeat tests were reproducible. Those findings support diagnostic testing only. Outside diagnosis, evidence in people is limited and efficacy for other uses has not been established.

How does GHRP-2 differ from GHRP-6 and ipamorelin?

All three act on the same receptor, but GHRP-2 is the only one with a regulatory approval, as a Japanese diagnostic agent. In a 1998 comparison in conscious swine, GHRP-2 showed higher GH-releasing potency but a lower maximal GH response than GHRP-6 and ipamorelin. Like GHRP-6, and unlike ipamorelin, it also raised ACTH and cortisol in that model.

What is the regulatory status of GHRP-2?

Pralmorelin is approved in Japan only as a diagnostic agent. KEGG DRUG lists pralmorelin hydrochloride (brand GHRP, Kaken Pharmaceutical) among Japanese new drug approvals dated October 22, 2004, classed as a diagnostic reagent for endocrine function. That approval belongs to the Japanese diagnostic product and does not extend to this research vial.

In the US, no GHRP-2 or pralmorelin product appears in Drugs@FDA. On September 29, 2023, FDA placed GHRP-2 in 503B Category 2, citing immunogenicity concerns and reports of serious adverse events, though causality has not been established.

Documentation

Every GHRP-2 acetate vial is printed with a PEPTYVA lot number. Because the product is a salt, the lot's Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the place to check identity, purity and peptide content. Request it through our contact page.

Storage and handling

Store the unopened 5 mg vial sealed in its original packaging, away from light, humidity and heat, at the temperature printed on the PEPTYVA label. Verify the seal and lot number when it arrives.