MOLECULAR INFORMATION
Molecular information
- Length
- 10 amino acids
- Type
- Synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist · GH-releasing + cardioactive
Amino acid sequence
His-D-2-MeTrp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide GHRP, developed in Italy in the 1990s as a candidate for GH-deficiency states. Distinct from other GHRPs in its documented cardiovascular signalling (CD36-mediated), which has driven ongoing research interest in cardioprotection independent of GH release.
Claims vs evidence
- GH release — comparable to other GHRPs
- Cardioprotection — preclinical evidence; one small Phase 1 in heart failure
- Tolerance / tachyphylaxis — well-documented; chronic dosing diminishes effect
Why we grade it C
Plausible mechanism with some cardiovascular evidence, but no authorised product and no adequately-powered Phase 3. The tolerance issue makes real-world therapeutic use difficult. Listed primarily because grey-market peptide vendors continue to stock it.