GH releasing peptides--structure and kinetics.

A new class of small synthetic peptides has been developed which specifically release GH. They consist of 6-7 amino acids and release GH in animals as well as humans. So far 3 of these peptides have been administered to humans, i.e., GHRP-6, GHRP-1 and GHRP-2. As in rats, these 3 peptides have been found to be increasingly more effective in releasing GH in humans. All 3 GHRPs release GH more efficaciously than GHRH 1-44 NH2 in humans. Particularly note-worthy is that GHRP-6, GHRP-1 AND GHRP-2 all release GH after oral administration. Near maximal amounts of GH can be released after GHRP-1 and GHRP-2 oral administration. In the present studies, the GH responses and serum irGHRP levels after i.v., s.c. and oral administration have been determined in normal younger men and/or women. By each route of administration GH was very effectively released. Additionally, GH release was induced by oral GHRP-6 in children with various degrees of GH deficiency. Noteworthy is the synergistic release of GH induced by the combined i.v. bolus administration of 1 microgram/kg of GHRP-1 + GHRH 1-44NH2. Thus, these results demonstrate GHRPs' potential importance at the theoretical as well as pharmaceutical level.