Characterization of the Potent Growth Hormone-Releasing Activity of Hexarelin in Human Subjects: A Comparative Endocrine Evaluation

Journal Context: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism / Oxford Academic | Identifiers: DOI: 10.1210/jcem.78.3.8126144 / PMID: 8126144

Principal Investigators: Ghigo, E., Arvat, E., Nicolosi, M., Imbimbo, B. P., Bowers, C. Y., & Camanni, F. (Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin, Italy)

Methodology: Clinical tracking of healthy adult human volunteers administered varying doses of Hexarelin via intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral delivery methods. Researchers monitored real-time blood serum fluctuations at tight intervals to map peak growth hormone release velocity against standard baseline GHRH controls.

Key Findings: Hexarelin demonstrated massive secretory potency, inducing a rapid, dose-dependent spike in circulating growth hormone lines. When delivered intravenously, Hexarelin was shown to be significantly more effective at eliciting a peak GH pulse than native GHRH alone. The trial established that Hexarelin acts directly on the somatotrophs to force immediate vesicle exocytosis, providing highly efficient systemic signaling.