# Ipamorelin References: The Cited Studies and Reviews

> Ipamorelin references: every study cited across this digest — the founding characterization, human PK, the failed trial, safety data, and 2024–2026 reviews, with DOIs and PMIDs.

## About these sources

Every quantitative claim on this site maps to a numbered source below. The list spans the founding 1998 selectivity characterization, the human pharmacokinetic study, the single Phase 2 efficacy trial, preclinical efficacy and safety studies, class-level GHRP/GHRH combination pharmacology, the mechanistic studies behind the safety cautions, and the most recent 2024–2026 reviews. PMIDs link to PubMed; DOIs are provided where registered. Citations [13]–[15] support the safety cautions on the [Ipamorelin effects](/effects) page.

## References

[1] Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, Thogersen H, Madsen K, Ankersen M, Andersen PH. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552-561. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9849822/
[2] Gobburu JV, Agerso H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999;16(9):1412-1416. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10496658/
[3] Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD; Ipamorelin 201 Study Group. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(12):1527-1534. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25331030/
[4] Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, Flyvbjerg A, Andreassen TT, Wilken M, Orskov H. Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999;9(2):106-113. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10373343/
[5] Lu Z, Ngan MP, Liu JYH, Yang L, Tu L, Chan SW, Giuliano C, Lovati E, Pietra C, Rudd JA. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism. Physiol Behav. 2024;284:114644. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39043357/
[6] Stokes AH, Falls JG, Yoon L, Cariello N, Faiola B, Colton HM, Jordan HL, Berridge BR. Integrated approach to early detection of cardiovascular toxicity induced by a ghrelin receptor agonist. Int J Toxicol. 2015;34(2):151-161. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25722321/
[7] Hansen BS, et al. Pharmacological characterisation of a new oral GH secretagogue, NN703. Eur J Endocrinol. 1999;141:180-189. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10427162/
[8] Johansen PB, et al. Growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion and GH receptor resistance in streptozotocin diabetic mice in response to a GH secretagogue. Exp Diabesity Res. 2003;4:73-81. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14630569/
[9] Massoud AF, et al. The effect of repeated administration of hexarelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, and growth hormone releasing hormone on growth hormone responsivity. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1996;44:555-562. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8762732/
[10] Jaffe CA, et al. Effects of a prolonged growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide infusion on pulsatile GH secretion in normal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;77:1641-1647. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7903313/
[11] Bowers CY, et al. GHRP-2, GHRH and SRIF interrelationships during chronic administration of GHRP-2 to humans. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 1996;9 Suppl 3:261-270. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8887169/
[12] Massoud AF, et al. Interaction of the growth hormone releasing peptide hexarelin with somatostatin. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1997;47:537-547. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9425393/
[13] Adeghate E, Ponery AS. Mechanism of ipamorelin-evoked insulin release from the pancreas of normal and diabetic rats. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2004;25(6):403-406. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15665799/
[14] Lall S, Tung LY, Ohlsson C, Jansson JO, Dickson SL. Growth hormone (GH)-independent stimulation of adiposity by GH secretagogues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001;280(1):132-138. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11162489/
[15] Lawrence CB, Snape AC, Baudoin FM, Luckman SM. Acute central ghrelin and GH secretagogues induce feeding and activate brain appetite centers. Endocrinology. 2002;143(1):155-162. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11751604/
[16] Rahman OF, et al. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. JAAOS Glob Res Rev. 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41490200/
[17] Mavrych V, et al. Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging. Front Aging. 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42021992/
[18] Mayfield CK, et al. Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians. Am J Sports Med. 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41476424/

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A tolerability-first read of the ipamorelin record — the failed Phase 2 endpoint, the two-hour half-life, and the class cardiotoxicity signal logged before anything flattering, every figure carried back to the study that measured it; a reference console, never a clinic, a prescriber, or a store.