IPAMORELIN
Ipamorelin (RUO) | Highly Selective GH Secretagogue | ≥99% Purity
Ipamorelin Research Grade (RUO) (CAS 170851-70-4) is a premium synthetic pentapeptide and selective GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) agonist. Supplied as a lyophilized crystalline powder, this compound is engineered for a growth hormone (GH)-selective profile, offering negligible ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin responses compared to earlier-generation secretagogues like GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.
Cold-chain stored and shipped directly from the USA, every batch is verified for ≥99% purity via HPLC and Mass Spectrometry.
Regulatory Disclaimer: For Research Use Only (RUO). This compound is strictly restricted to in vitro and laboratory applications. Not for human or veterinary use.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Product Name | Ipamorelin (Research Grade) |
| CAS Number | 170851-70-4 |
| Peptide Sequence | Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 |
| Molecular Formula | $C_{38}H_{49}N_{9}O_{5}$ |
| Molecular Weight | 711.868 Da |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC & MS Verified) |
| Physical State | Lyophilized Crystalline Powder |
| Solubility | Soluble in water or bacteriostatic/sterile saline |
| Target Receptor | Ghrelin Receptor (GHS-R1a) |
Chemical Identity & Structural Characteristics
Ipamorelin (NNC 26-0161) is recognized as the first highly selective agonist of the GHS-R1a receptor. Developed through a rigorous structural-activity relationship (SAR) program, its design intentionally excludes the dipeptide Ala-Trp to eliminate the non-selective endocrine activity common in legacy secretagogues.
Key structural modifications include:
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Aib ($\alpha$-aminoisobutyric acid): Located at the N-terminus, this non-proteinogenic residue creates steric hindrance that induces a helical backbone conformation, protecting the peptide from rapid enzymatic hydrolysis.
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D-2-Nal (D-2-naphthylalanine): Featuring a bulky, bicyclic naphthalene group, this residue acts as a molecular "anchor" in the receptor’s hydrophobic binding pocket, ensuring high-affinity binding (Ki = 2.3 nM).
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D-Isomer Chirality: The strategic integration of D-isomers (D-2-Nal and D-Phe) renders the peptide largely unrecognizable to endogenous proteases, effectively extending its functional half-life to approximately 2 hours in human models.
The Selectivity Paradigm
The defining pharmacological characteristic of Ipamorelin is its distinctly "GH-specific" signaling profile. Unlike its predecessors, Ipamorelin achieves potent GH stimulation without inducing off-target surges in:
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ACTH & Cortisol: Remains negligible even at doses 200-fold higher than the effective threshold for GH release.
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Prolactin: Shows no meaningful elevation in established clinical models.
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Appetite Stimulation: Does not aggressively activate the orexigenic (hunger) pathways typically associated with GHRP-6.
Comparative Selectivity Profile: GHS-R1a Agonists
| Parameter | Ipamorelin | GHRP-6 | GHRP-2 |
| GH Stimulation | High | High | High |
| ACTH/Cortisol Rise | None / Negligible | Moderate | High |
| Prolactin Surge | None / Negligible | Moderate | High |
| Appetite Induction | None / Negligible | High | Moderate |
| Desensitization Risk | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Research Context & Clinical Insights
Recent longitudinal studies and institutional models highlight Ipamorelin's potential across several therapeutic pathways:
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Muscle Preservation: In models involving subjects aged 65–80 over 12 months, daily administration correlated with a 4.2% increase in lean body mass compared to a 0.3% increase in control groups.
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Skeletal Geometry: Evidence confirms that Ipamorelin increases Bone Mineral Content (BMC) by stimulating true geometric growth of cortical bone dimensions.
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Neuroprotection (2024): Emerging studies in Neuropharmacology demonstrate reduced neuroinflammation in animal models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) modulated via GHS-R1a pathways.
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Metabolic Syndrome: Observational models record an 11.3% reduction in visceral adipose tissue and an 18% improvement in insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) over a 6-month protocol.
Why Researchers Source from Profound Aminos
Profound Aminos provides the analytical transparency required for uncompromising, institutional-grade research.
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Lot-Specific Transparency: Every shipment is accompanied by a batch-verified Certificate of Analysis (COA) with corresponding HPLC chromatograms and Mass Spectrometry data.
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USA-Based Cold-Chain Logistics: To prevent thermal degradation, all peptides are stored at -20°C and shipped directly from our USA facility to ensure peak experimental potency upon arrival.
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Endotoxin Monitoring: Vials are rigorously screened to ensure endotoxin levels fall below 1.0 EU/mg, making them suitable for highly sensitive in vitro assays and cellular modeling.
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Total Traceability: End-to-end batch tracking allows principal investigators to maintain flawless quality control throughout longitudinal studies.
Regulatory & Compliance Status
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FDA Status: Ipamorelin falls under Category 2 of the FDA’s Interim Policy on Compounding due to its non-natural amino acid composition. It is not FDA-approved for human use or consumption.
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WADA Status: Strictly prohibited at all times under the classification of a Growth Hormone Secretagogue.
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RUO Designation: This compound is legally provided strictly for Laboratory Research Use Only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Ipamorelin frequently researched in combination with CJC-1295?
GHRH analogs like CJC-1295 act as an "amplifier," while GHS-R1a agonists like Ipamorelin act as the "trigger." In research models, administering both compounds synergistically produces a GH release magnitude significantly greater than the sum of their independent effects.
Does Ipamorelin require a “refractory period” between administrations?
Yes. Because it triggers the release of stored GH, the pituitary gland requires a biological window to resynthesize hormone stores before an additional, maximal pulse can be successfully triggered.
What are the optimal storage protocols for long-term research?
For maximum stability (12–24 months), the lyophilized crystalline powder must be stored in a freezer ranging from -20°C to -80°C. Keep away from light and moisture until ready for reconstitution.