Skip to main content
MitoCore Biosciences
← Back to Peptide Library

GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin)

Evidence: B/C — Meaningful Human Evidence

GH Axis / Body Composition

2 min readLast reviewed July 26, 2026

Key facts

  • Research areaGH Axis / Body Composition
  • Research statusinvestigational
  • Study records179 human
  • Last updated2026-07-26

Evidence Snapshot

Evidence: B/C — Meaningful Human Evidence
2026-07-26Last updated

What this grade covers

B for the approved Japanese diagnostic use of pralmorelin hydrochloride and multiple human provocative or diagnostic studies evaluating GH, ACTH, and cortisol responses; C for acute human endocrine pharmacology, incomplete endocrine selectivity, and small short-duration human studies showing increased food intake and GH secretion; D for therapeutic body-composition improvement, fat loss, muscle or strength gain, athletic performance, injury recovery, sleep improvement, anti-aging or longevity effects, treatment of adult or pediatric growth-hormone deficiency outside approved diagnostic use, sustained weight outcomes, and long-term safety because adequate controlled clinical outcome evidence is absent.

Regulatory Context

Pralmorelin hydrochloride is approved in Japan as a single-administration diagnostic agent for assessing growth-hormone deficiency. It is not FDA-approved in the United States and is not approved as a treatment for body composition, recovery, anti-aging, or wellness.

In Plain English

A quick, research-focused overview. It does not replace, and cannot outrank, the detailed evidence below.

What is it?

A synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist and growth-hormone secretagogue, also known as pralmorelin or KP-102.

Why are researchers interested in it?

Studied as a GH-stimulation test, in hypothalamic-pituitary disorders, appetite research, and experimental endocrine physiology.

What is it being studied for?

  • Growth-hormone stimulation testing (diagnostic use)Human Studies & Clinical Data
  • Acute GH, prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol responseHuman Studies & Clinical Data
  • Appetite and food intakeHuman Studies & Clinical Data
  • Ghrelin-receptor mechanismAnimal / Cell / Preclinical Data

What does the evidence look like?

Multiple human endocrine and diagnostic studies exist, and an official diagnostic use exists in Japan. Evidence for long-term treatment or wellness outcomes remains inadequate.

Biggest things to know

Diagnostic approval is not treatment approval. Human studies show GHRP-2 is not completely GH-selective and may increase prolactin, ACTH, cortisol, appetite, or glucose-related monitoring concerns.

What don't we know yet?

GHRP-2 is not selective for growth hormone alone — human studies also show increases in prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol. Its use in critically ill patients has been associated with serious adverse-event reports whose causality FDA describes as unresolved. No adequate controlled human evidence establishes that it reduces body fat, increases muscle or strength, improves athletic performance or sleep, or treats growth-hormone deficiency outside its approved Japanese diagnostic use — most human data come from short, single-dose endocrine testing rather than long-term outcome trials. Identity and quality across free-base, hydrochloride, acetate, and unspecified vendor forms are not established as interchangeable.

Research status

Investigational

Reviewed August 24, 2026

Research Takeaway

GHRP-2 is a ghrelin-receptor agonist that stimulates growth-hormone release.

See all 11 evidence claims →

Quick Summary

GH Axis / Body Composition

GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic ghrelin-receptor agonist that stimulates GH release and can also affect appetite, prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol. Japan uses pralmorelin as a diagnostic stimulus for GH deficiency, while U.S. FDA materials identify safety and product-quality concerns for compounded injectable and nasal GHRP-2. Human evidence supports endocrine and diagnostic effects, not broad wellness outcomes.

Mechanism & Research Overview

GHRP-2, also known as pralmorelin, activates the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor and can provoke an acute pituitary GH response. Human studies also show that it is not completely selective for GH and may influence prolactin, ACTH, cortisol, appetite, and glucose-related physiology depending on the setting.

Mechanism pathway

Relationship-support labels describe the type and directness of the research available, not proof of safety or effectiveness. Indirectly supported, inferred and uncertain relationships are not equivalent to directly supported ones.

  1. CompoundGHRP-2 (Pralmorelin)
  2. Directly supported (Directly supported relationship)
    Biological targetGhrelin receptorReceptor
  3. Directly supported (Directly supported relationship)
    Signal / mechanism stepPituitary somatotroph stimulationAcute pituitary GH response following receptor activation.
  4. Leads to
    PathwayGhrelin / GHSR Signaling
  5. Contributes to
    • Biological processGrowth hormone secretion

Relationship details

  1. GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin) → Ghrelin receptor — Directly supportedGHRP-2 activates the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor.
  2. Pituitary somatotroph stimulation — Directly supportedSources: study-ghrp-2-arvat-1997-gh-prl-acth-cortisol
  3. Growth hormone secretion — contributes to the pathway (structural link, no support rating)Sources: study-ghrp-2-chihara-2007-diagnostic, study-ghrp-2-arvat-1997-gh-prl-acth-cortisol

A biological process is not the same as a proven health or treatment outcome.

Relevant tissue/system context: Anterior pituitary

Open in the Mechanism & Pathway Explorer→

Evidence Grade Breakdown

A single letter grade can't capture how evidence quality differs across approved use, off-label use, and unsupported claims. The categories below break that down -- none of them grade this compound "overall."

B/C

Overall Research Grade

GHRP-2 has an approved diagnostic role in Japan and a meaningful body of human provocative-test, endocrine, and short-duration food-intake evidence. These data establish biological activity and diagnostic utility but do not establish broad therapeutic efficacy, sustained body-composition or weight outcomes, performance enhancement, recovery benefits, anti-aging effects, or long-term safety.

B

Approved Diagnostic Use and Provocative Testing

Show detail

Pralmorelin hydrochloride has an approved diagnostic use in Japan, supported by official PMDA product information and multiple human studies evaluating GH, ACTH, cortisol, pituitary, and adrenal responses. This evidence supports diagnostic and provocative-test utility, not chronic therapeutic use.

C

Human Endocrine and Pharmacology Evidence

Show detail

Small human studies demonstrate acute GH release and effects on prolactin, ACTH, cortisol, and pituitary or adrenal-axis responses. These studies establish pharmacologic activity and incomplete endocrine selectivity but do not establish therapeutic clinical outcomes.

C

Human Appetite and Food-Intake Evidence

Show detail

Two direct human studies report acute increased food intake after GHRP-2, including one randomized crossover study showing dose-dependent food-intake and GH responses. The evidence is short-duration and does not establish sustained weight change, obesity treatment, body-composition benefit, or long-term therapeutic value.

D

Human Therapeutic Outcome Efficacy

Show detail

No adequate controlled human outcome evidence establishes that GHRP-2 reduces body fat, increases muscle mass or strength, improves athletic performance, accelerates injury recovery, improves sleep, reverses aging, or treats adult or pediatric growth-hormone deficiency outside its approved diagnostic context.

D

Safety and Long-Term Use

Show detail

Human and regulatory evidence identifies nonselective endocrine effects, increased food intake, immunogenicity and impurity concerns for compounded products, and serious-event reports with uncertain causality. Long-term clinical safety, repeated-use safety, pediatric treatment safety, and chronic organ-system outcomes remain inadequately established.

C

Preclinical and Mechanistic Evidence

Show detail

The source set contains one negative repeated-administration animal study and one cell-based mechanistic study. These findings provide limited contextual and mechanistic evidence but cannot establish human therapeutic efficacy or safety.

B/C

Regulatory, Identity, and Anti-Doping Context

Show detail

Official PMDA, FDA, PubChem, and WADA sources support diagnostic status, United States non-approval, 503A and 503B category framing, chemical identity distinctions, compounding-related safety context, and anti-doping status. These sources provide regulatory and identity context and are not evidence of therapeutic efficacy.

Evidence reviewed

Randomized human trials
1
Controlled human trials
2
Observational human studies
5
Regulatory documents
5
Preclinical studies
2
Primary sources reviewed
16 of 17

Study counts describe the reviewed evidence base. They do not independently determine evidence quality.

How MitoCore grades evidence
Grade definitions
A
Strong and directly applicable evidence, generally including regulatory support or multiple high-quality replicated human trials for the exact claim and population.
A-
Strong human evidence with limited uncertainty, narrower applicability, or incomplete replication.
B+
Moderately strong evidence with meaningful human support but important scope, duration, safety, or generalizability limitations.
B
Credible evidence with notable uncertainty, limited replication, or mixed results.
C
Preliminary or inconsistent evidence, usually limited human data or strong indirect evidence.
D
Weak, indirect, population-limited, or largely unsupported evidence for the specific use being graded.
F
No credible supporting evidence, evidence contradicting the claim, or claims based primarily on speculation or marketing.
Confidence definitions
High
The evidence classification is unlikely to change substantially with ordinary additional research.
Moderate
The classification is reasonably supported but could change with additional high-quality evidence.
Low
The evidence base is sparse, indirect, inconsistent, or dependent on uncertain assumptions.
Very Low
The evidence base is extremely limited, speculative, or unsuitable for firm conclusions.
Scope

The grade evaluates the evidence supporting the specific category or claim. A grade does not evaluate product purity, supplier quality, personal suitability, treatment appropriateness, individual outcomes, legality, or medical safety for a specific person.

These grades and confidence levels describe the research evidence itself. They are not medical recommendations, and they do not evaluate any specific product, supplier, or individual's situation.

Evidence Claims

Individual scientific statements drawn from the sources cited below, each shown with the specific evidence boundary that statement does not establish.

Regulatory Status

Supported

Pralmorelin hydrochloride is used in Japan as a diagnostic agent for growth-hormone deficiency.

Sources: GHRP Kaken 100 Injection — Pralmorelin Hydrochloride Official Product Information

human_evidence

Supported

GHRP-2 increased food intake in a controlled study of healthy men.

Sources: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men

Safety

Supported

FDA identifies serious-event reports and immunogenicity or impurity concerns for compounded injectable and nasal GHRP-2, while noting uncertain causality for reported clinical events.

Sources: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — GHRP-2

identity

Supported

GHRP-2 is a distinct molecule from GHRP-6, hexarelin, ipamorelin, ghrelin, GHRH, and CJC-1295, and is not an approved recombinant growth-hormone product; free-base, hydrochloride, acetate, TFA, and unspecified commercial forms must not be assumed interchangeable.

Sources: PubChem Pralmorelin / GHRP-2 Record

Regulatory Status

Supported

As of FDA's May 14, 2026 503A category list, GHRP-2 is a Category 1 substance under evaluation, which does not mean FDA approval or a finding of safety or effectiveness. FDA separately lists injectable and nasal GHRP-2 in 503B Category 2 because of potential significant safety risks, citing aggregation and peptide-related impurity concerns and an unnatural amino acid that complicates characterization.

Sources: FDA 503A Bulk Drug Substances Categories, Updated May 14, 2026; Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — GHRP-2

human_evidence

Supported

A later randomized crossover study in lean and obese participants found dose-dependent increases in food intake and GH secretion after GHRP-2.

Sources: Dose-Dependent Effects of GHRP-2 on Food Intake and GH

Safety

Supported

Human endocrine studies characterize pituitary and adrenal-axis responses to GHRP-2, consistent with non-selective endocrine spillover beyond GH release.

Sources: Pituitary and Adrenal Responses to GHRP-2

Safety

Supported

Experimental studies in critically ill patients examined combined endocrine stimulation with GHRP-2. FDA-cited serious adverse-event reports in this population have uncertain causality and do not establish routine therapeutic benefit.

Sources: GHRP-2 and Endocrine Axes in Critical Illness

Evidence Boundary

Supported

No adequate controlled human evidence establishes that GHRP-2 reduces body fat, increases muscle mass or strength, improves athletic performance, accelerates injury recovery, improves sleep, reverses aging, or treats adult or pediatric growth-hormone deficiency.

Sources: A simple diagnostic test using GH-releasing peptide-2 in adult GH deficiency; GHRP-2 and Endocrine Axes in Critical Illness

Safety & Evidence Limitations

Considerations reported in the sources cited on this page — not a complete list of every possible risk, and not medical advice.

  • Higher-Priority Safety Consideration

    FDA notes reports including increased insulin requirement, deaths, infection, and pancreatitis in subjects receiving GHRP-2, while emphasizing that causality has not been established.
  • Higher-Priority Safety Consideration

    FDA identifies aggregation, peptide-related impurities, unnatural amino-acid characterization, and route-specific immunogenicity concerns for compounded products.
  • Safety Consideration

    Human comparative studies found increases in prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol in addition to GH.
  • Safety Consideration

    A controlled human study found increased food intake, consistent with ghrelin-receptor agonism.
  • Safety Consideration

    The human literature is dominated by single-dose endocrine testing and small studies rather than long-term clinical outcome trials.

Research Areas Being Studied

Research areas discussed on this page reflect the GH Axis / Body Composition category and the sources cited below.

Findings Reported in Studies

Educational summary only — reported in cited studies, not a claim of proven benefit.

Show findings from 9 human studies
  • Clinical Usefulness of the Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 Test for Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorder (2022):
  • Investigation of the clinical significance of the growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 test for the diagnosis of secondary adrenal failure (2016):
  • Determination of growth hormone secretagogue pralmorelin (GHRP-2) and its metabolite in human urine by LC/ESI tandem mass spectrometry (2010):
  • A simple diagnostic test using GH-releasing peptide-2 in adult GH deficiency (2007):
  • Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men (2005):
  • Effects of GHRP-2 and hexarelin, two synthetic GH-releasing peptides, on GH, prolactin, ACTH and cortisol levels in man. Comparison with the effects of GHRH, TRH and hCRH (1997):
  • Dose-Dependent Effects of GHRP-2 on Food Intake and GH ():
  • GHRP-2 and Endocrine Axes in Critical Illness ():
  • Pituitary and Adrenal Responses to GHRP-2 ():

Study Tables by Evidence Type

17 study records

Human Studies & Clinical Data(9)

Clinical Usefulness of the Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 Test for Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorder

2022

PMID 35795807 · DOI 10.1210/jendso/bvac088

Population / Model
36 adults with hypothalamic-pituitary disorder
Dose / Duration / Finding

Combined ACTH + peak cortisol response achieved 100% specificity for pituitary adrenal insufficiency; authors recommend measuring ACTH alongside GH during testing.

Investigation of the clinical significance of the growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 test for the diagnosis of secondary adrenal failure

2016

PMID 27020037 · DOI 10.1507/endocrj.EJ15-0587

Population / Model
47 adults tested for secondary adrenal insufficiency
Dose / Duration / Finding

Achieved 88.9% specificity and 89.7% sensitivity for secondary adrenal insufficiency at a cortisol cutoff of 11.6 mcg/dL, using the same GHRP-2 diagnostic dose.

Determination of growth hormone secretagogue pralmorelin (GHRP-2) and its metabolite in human urine by LC/ESI tandem mass spectrometry

2010

PMID 20552695 · DOI 10.1002/rcm.4619

Population / Model
10 male volunteers
Dose / Duration / Finding

Validated a urine-detection method for GHRP-2 for anti-doping use.

A simple diagnostic test using GH-releasing peptide-2 in adult GH deficiency

2007

PMID 17609397 · DOI 10.1530/EJE-07-0066

Population / Model
77 healthy adults + 58 adults with GH deficiency
Dose / Duration / Finding

A peak GH cutoff of 15 mcg/L reliably diagnosed severe adult GH deficiency with favorable reproducibility.

Study/Trial Dosing:
100 mcg intravenous, single dose

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men

2005

PMID 15699539 · DOI 10.1210/jc.2004-1719

Population / Model
7 lean healthy men
Dose / Duration / Finding

Produced a 35.9% increase in food intake vs. saline.

Study/Trial Dosing:
1 mcg/kg/hr subcutaneous continuous infusion
Duration:
270 minutes

Effects of GHRP-2 and hexarelin, two synthetic GH-releasing peptides, on GH, prolactin, ACTH and cortisol levels in man. Comparison with the effects of GHRH, TRH and hCRH

1997

PMID 9285939 · DOI 10.1016/S0196-9781(97)00016-8

Population / Model
Six healthy young adults and six healthy elderly subjects
Dose / Duration / Finding

GHRP-2 and hexarelin produced strong GH responses and also increased prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol, demonstrating incomplete endocrine selectivity.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Study / Trial Dosing: 1 and 2 micrograms/kg intravenously in the source experiment
Duration:
Acute endocrine-response study

Safety note

Small, acute physiology study; it does not establish repeated-use safety.

Dose-Dependent Effects of GHRP-2 on Food Intake and GH

PMID 16861611

Population / Model
Lean and obese participants (randomized crossover)
Dose / Duration / Finding

Randomized crossover study in lean and obese participants found dose-dependent increases in food intake and GH secretion after GHRP-2.

GHRP-2 and Endocrine Axes in Critical Illness

PMID 12030918

Population / Model
Critically ill patients
Dose / Duration / Finding

Experimental study of combined endocrine stimulation with GHRP-2 in critically ill patients.

Safety note

FDA-cited serious adverse-event reports in critically ill subjects receiving GHRP-2 have uncertain causality; the study does not establish routine therapeutic benefit.

Pituitary and Adrenal Responses to GHRP-2

PMID 19907099

Population / Model
Healthy adults
Dose / Duration / Finding

Human endocrine study characterizing pituitary and adrenal-axis responses to GHRP-2, consistent with non-selective endocrine spillover beyond GH release.

Animal / Cell / Preclinical Data(2)

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 Attenuation of Protein Kinase C-Induced Inflammation in Human Ovarian Granulosa Cells

2016

PMID 27548147 · DOI 10.3390/ijms17081359

Population / Model
KGN human ovarian granulosa cells and primary rat granulosa cells
Dose / Duration / Finding

GHRP-2 suppressed PKC-induced COX-2/IL-8 inflammation via p38/JNK/NF-kB inhibition.

Effects of long-term treatment with growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 in the GHRH knockout mouse

2005

PMID 15985453 · DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.00203.2005

Population / Model
GHRH-knockout mice
Dose / Duration / Finding

Failed to reverse growth hormone deficiency and did not stimulate growth; the increase in body weight observed reflected worsened body composition, not benefit. Included here as a negative result to avoid cherry-picking only positive studies.

Study/Trial Dosing:
10 mcg subcutaneous, twice daily
Duration:
6 weeks

Regulatory Documents & Official Trial Registries(5)

2026 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List

2026
Population / Model
Anti-doping regulatory standard
Dose / Duration / Finding

WADA lists growth-hormone-releasing factors and secretagogues, including CJC-1295, sermorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and examorelin/hexarelin, as prohibited in sport.

Safety note

Anti-doping status is not a clinical safety or efficacy determination.

Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — GHRP-2

2026
Population / Model
FDA compounding safety summary
Dose / Duration / Finding

FDA identifies immunogenicity and peptide-characterization concerns for compounded injectable and nasal GHRP-2.

Safety note

FDA notes reports including increased insulin requirement, deaths in critically ill study subjects, infection, and pancreatitis, while stating that causality has not been established.

FDA 503A Bulk Drug Substances Categories, Updated May 14, 2026

2026
Population / Model
Dose / Duration / Finding

As of the May 14, 2026 list, GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 are both Category 1 substances under FDA evaluation for the 503A Bulks List. Category 1 status is not FDA approval and does not establish a finding of safety or effectiveness or automatic authorization to compound.

Show full finding

GHRP Kaken 100 Injection — Pralmorelin Hydrochloride Official Product Information

2025
Population / Model
Official Japanese diagnostic product information
Dose / Duration / Finding

The product is indicated in Japan for diagnosis of growth-hormone secretory deficiency.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Study / Trial Dosing / official label context: ages 4 to under 18, 2 micrograms/kg intravenously with a 100-microgram maximum; adults, 100 micrograms intravenously while fasting. This is label context for diagnostic testing, not a recommendation for other use.

Safety note

Official product contraindications, precautions, and adverse reactions should be read in the current Japanese label; the diagnostic use should not be generalized to chronic treatment.

PubChem Pralmorelin / GHRP-2 Record

Population / Model
Dose / Duration / Finding

PubChem identity record for pralmorelin (GHRP-2), a synthetic six-residue growth-hormone-releasing peptide containing non-natural amino-acid residues and acting primarily at the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor.

Review Articles / Secondary Sources(1)

Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN, KP-102D, KP-102LN

2004

PMID 15230633

Population / Model
Drug-development review
Dose / Duration / Finding

Review of pralmorelin development, mechanism, diagnostic use, and discontinued therapeutic-development programs.

Safety note

Secondary source; primary studies and official product information should support specific clinical and safety claims.

Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice

Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice

Reported dosing patterns are included for educational context only. They are self-reported, unverified, not medical advice, and not instructions for human use. Community-submitted patterns are not yet available in this Phase 1 prototype; this section is a placeholder reserved for moderated, aggregated community data.

Lab Markers to Discuss With a Clinician

Educational topics only — not self-monitoring instructions.

IGF-1fasting glucose or HbA1cmorning cortisol when clinically relevantprolactin when clinically relevantheart rate and blood pressure

FAQ

Pralmorelin hydrochloride is used in Japan as a diagnostic agent for assessing growth-hormone deficiency. This is not an approval for chronic treatment or wellness use.

Disclaimer

Educational research summary only. This page does not provide medical advice, treatment guidance, product-quality assurance, or instructions for human use.

Educational use only. This content is provided for informational and research-summary purposes only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment recommendation, not a dosing guide, and not a substitute for care from a licensed medical professional. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate disease. Reported dosing patterns, when shown elsewhere on the site, must be labeled either as Study / Trial Dosing or Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice. Community reports are self-reported, unverified, and not scientific proof.

Community-reported experiences, once enabled, must be displayed only as moderated, anonymized, or aggregated data. They are anecdotal, self-reported, unverified, and should never be presented as proof of safety, efficacy, or expected results.

Content status: Published. Last updated 2026-07-26.

Follow research updates for GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin)

Get notified in your MitoCore account when this profile is updated, a new study is added, or its evidence grade changes.

Get updates when new studies or safety notes are added for this peptide.

Get educational updates on new studies, evidence-grade changes, and safety notes. Educational content only — not medical advice.

Interests (optional)