Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin vs CJC-1295

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are both growth hormone secretagogues, though how they naturally raise growth hormone levels differs. Despite their differences in mechanism of action, these two peptides share a lot in common. That’s not to say that their effects are identical by any means though. For the discerning researcher, knowing the differences between these two peptides is critical to experimental design and so it is important to explore precisely how they differ. Additionally, the differences in their mechanisms of action mean that these two peptides might be synergistic in certain research applications and so those potential synergies are worth knowing.

Ipamorelin vs CJC-1295: Mechanism of Action

Ipamorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) agonist, which means it mimics the effects of ghrelin. Ipamorelin was derived from GHRP-1, which was itself derived as one of six (6) different molecules from ghrelin. As an agonist of the GHS-R, ipamorelin activates cells in the anterior pituitary gland to cause growth hormone release. It also binds to GHS-R subtypes in other areas of the brain to regulate reward cognition, learning, memory, the sleep-wake cycle, taste sensation, and glucose metabolism.

CJC-1295 is a derivative of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and binds to the GHRH-R in the anterior pituitary gland. As a GHRH-R agonist, CJC-1295 has fewer direct effects than ipamorelin because there is no GHRH-R outside of the anterior pituitary gland. Thus, CJC-1295 primarily causes an increase in growth hormone levels. The increase in growth hormone, however, has secondary effects that will be discussed in greater detail.

Ipamorelin vs CJC-1295: Structure

Ipamorelin is a much smaller molecule when compared to CJC-1295, but CJC-1295 offers the ability to be modified easily through the addition of a molecule known as DAC. DAC, or the drug affinity complex, can drastically alter the half-life of CJC-1295 and thus offers an easy means of tailoring the activity of the peptide. Both peptides must be administered Sub-Q for optimal results as there is extensive degradation in the GI tract as well as first-pass metabolism in the liver.

Ipamorelin Cost: What to Know in 2024

Ipamorelin, the short, synthetic agonist of the growth hormone secretaogue (GHS) receptor, is one of the most selective growth hormone (GH) increasing peptides available for research. Given ipamorelin prices, it is also one of the least expensive. Ipamorelin prices top out at less than $100 dollars in most cases for a 5 mg vial, making it among the most affordable GHS agonists and a favorite for researchers investigating the effects of GHS stimulation on growth, muscle function, bone health, diabetes, and postoperative ileus. Given the benefits of ipamorelin, the potential applications, and the low cost of this peptide it is surprising that more research isn’t being done to drive the science forward.

What Is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is a synthetic, highly selective agonist of the GHS receptor originally developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of postoperative ileus. Ipamorelin was derived from growth hormone releasing peptide-1, which is itself a derivative of the natural protein hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin, often referred to as the hunger hormone, is produced by the stomach and stimulates the intake of food. It also activates cells in the anterior pituitary gland, increasing levels of neuropeptide Y and growth hormone. Ghrelin plays important roles in reward cognition, learning, memory, the sleep-wake cycle, and energy metabolism.

Ipamorelin is just five amino acids (Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys ) long and easy to produce via recombinant techniques. This is one of the reasons ipamorelin prices are so affordable. It retains some, but not all of ghrelin’s properties, a feature that makes ipamorelin more selective than ghrelin and thus potentially more useful.

Peptide Sequence: Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys

Molecular Formula: C38H49N9O5

Molecular Weight: 711.868 g/mol

PubChem CID: 9831659

CAS Number: 170851-70-4