Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide with the amino acid sequence Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2. It is a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) peptide, which means that it stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland.
Ipamorelin is different from other GHS peptides in a few ways. First, it is more selective for the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor, which means that it is less likely to cause other side effects, such as increased cortisol levels. Second, ipamorelin has a longer half-life, which means that it can be administered less frequently.
The structure of ipamorelin is as follows:
- Aib (alpha-aminoisobutyric acid): Aib is a non-natural amino acid that is found in some peptides. It is similar to alanine, but it has a methyl group attached to the alpha-carbon atom. This methyl group prevents Aib from being degraded by peptidases, which is why ipamorelin has a longer half-life than other GHS peptides.
- His (histidine): His is an essential amino acid that is involved in a variety of biological processes, including growth and development.
- D-2-Nal (D-2-naphthylalanine): D-2-Nal is a non-natural amino acid that is similar to phenylalanine. It is a potent agonist of the GHRH receptor.
- D-Phe (D-phenylalanine): D-Phe is a non-natural amino acid that is similar to phenylalanine. It is a potent agonist of the GHRH receptor.
- Lys (lysine): Lys is an essential amino acid that is involved in a variety of biological processes, including protein synthesis and cell growth.
The structure of ipamorelin is important for its function. The Aib residue at the N-terminus prevents ipamorelin from being degraded by peptidases, which gives it a longer half-life. The His, D-2-Nal, D-Phe, and Lys residues are all involved in binding to the GHRH receptor and stimulating the release of growth hormone.
Ipamorelin is a promising new therapy for a variety of conditions, including growth hormone deficiency, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to note that ipamorelin is an investigational drug and is not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any use. More research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of ipamorelin therapy.
