GHRP 6 is a synthetic growth hormone (GH) secretagogues that act on both the pituitary and hypothalamic somatotroph cells to stimulate GH release. The peptide has been used in both therapeutic and experimental settings to prevent cardiac cell death, promote blood vessel growth, reduce inflammation, and improve wound healing.
ghrp-6 has also been shown to decrease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in animals with the same genetic defect that causes the disorder. Its ability to protect brain tissue is thought to be due to its interaction with a specific ghrelin receptor found in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Metabolic Effects
Several studies in rats indicate that ghrp-6 is capable of stimulating food intake and adiposity, promoting weight gain. The peptide also suppresses insulin- and leptin-induced ghrelin stimulation, which can contribute to this effect.
Inhibition of gastrointestinal and intestinal damage
In a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model, ghrp-6 decreased sulfation of gastric epithelial cells (P
Preventing cardiac cell death
We tested the potential cardioprotective effects of ghrp 6 in the rat model of doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy/heart failure. Compared with a saline-treated control group, GHRP-6 significantly prevented the demise of cardiac muscle, as assessed by echocardiography. Moreover, it attenuated a variety of extracardiac damages, such as renal tubular and bronchoalveolar epithelial lesions, as well as reduced mortality rates.