GHRP-2
GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue. In Japan it received approval as an injectable diagnostic agent to test pituitary growth hormone reserve, but it is not approved as a treatment in the United States, the EU or Australia. Human data outside its diagnostic use are limited to early-phase pharmacology studies.
Mechanism
In plain terms, GHRP-2 mimics the hunger hormone ghrelin to prompt the pituitary to release growth hormone. Technically, it is a synthetic peptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release; it can also modestly raise prolactin, ACTH and cortisol. Its reliable, dose-dependent growth hormone response is the basis for its use as a provocative diagnostic agent in Japan.
Regulatory Status by Region
- United States (FDA)Not approved for any indication; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue with no marketed product.
- Australia (TGA)Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- European Union (EMA)No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU.
- Japan (PMDA)Approved as a diagnostic agent (pralmorelin) used to evaluate growth hormone secretory capacity; not approved as a therapeutic treatment.
- WADAProhibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth hormone secretagogues including GHRP-2 are explicitly covered.