Sermorelin

Synthetically produced GRF1-29 (sermorelin) has an amino acid composition identical to the N-terminal 29 amino acids of the natural hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH1-44). ^[1] It is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue that is a potent stimulator of endogenous growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1. ^{[2] [3]}

Sermorelin maintains bioactivity and is almost equally effective as natural GHRH in eliciting secretion of endogenous growth hormone in vivo, binding and activating the human GRF receptor. ^[1] A main drawback of sermorelin is its short half-life in plasma, about 10-20 minutes in humans, caused mostly by renal ultrafiltration and enzymatic degradation at the N terminus. ^[1]

Sermorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue that has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for symptoms of hypogonadism, potently stimulating GH and IGF-1 and able to improve body composition while ameliorating fat gain and muscular atrophy. ^[3] A paucity of data examining the clinical effects of these compounds currently limits understanding of the role of growth hormone secretagogues such as sermorelin in the treatment of hypogonadism, and their use for physique- or performance-related indications lacks regulatory approval. ^{[3] [2]}

Reported adverse effects of GHRH analogues such as sermorelin span endocrine and metabolic disturbances, including prolactin and cortisol elevations, appetite changes and dysglycaemia, as well as fluid retention, musculoskeletal symptoms, and injection-site reactions. ^[2] Much of the sermorelin sold direct to patients comes from a largely unregulated supply chain in which products are often mislabeled or contaminated, so peptide use in these settings should be considered high-risk. ^[4]