Sermorelin 5mg (GRF 1-29)

Sermorelin is one of a handful of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analogues that have been developed in recent years in an effort to preserve some of the positive effects of natural GHRH while avoiding undesirable effects. Sermorelin (Geref) is currently used clinically to assess growth hormone secretion, but the peptide is of additional interest for its abilities to reduce scarring following heart attack, increase bone density, improve nutrition in chronic illness, improve renal function, fight the effects of dementia, and reduce seizure activity.

Heart attack, while acutely life-threatening, can also lead to long-term disability secondary to heart failure, cardiac conduction abnormalities (arrhythmias), reduced exercise capacity, pain, and more. A number of these problems result from cardiac remodeling that follows damage to myocytes. In 2016, a study in pigs revealed that sermorelin administration is effective in reducing the remodeling that follows a heart attack. The research showed that sermorelin reduces cell death in cardiomyocytes, increases the production of extracellular matrix components needed for adequate healing, increases the growth of blood vessels to damaged tissue, and reduces the production of substances that cause damaging inflammation. Clinically, sermorelin's effects are seen in improved diastolic function, reduced scar size, and increased capillary growth[1], [2].

GABA is a central nervous system signaling molecule known to reduce electrical activity in the spinal cord and reduce overall electrical excitability in the central nervous system. In a recent study of mice with epilepsy, scientists administered GHRH analogues, like sermorelin, to test the effect of these peptides on seizure activity. It turns out that GHRH analogues are effective in suppressing seizures by activating GABA receptors[3].

There is good evidence that sleep cycles are regulated by orexin, a potent neurochemical produced by certain neurons in the brain. Research in rainbow trout suggests that an intact GHRH axis is a necessary component for proper orexin secretion and function. In addition, the research reveals that exogenous administration of sermorelin and other GHRH agonists can boost orexin secretion[4].

Sermorelin is the preferred way to increase GH levels, even over exogenous GH itself. The primary reason is that sermorelin is subject to physiological feedback mechanisms that help prevent common problems like overdose, improper dosing, and unintended side effects like edema, joint pain, and dysregulation of normal physiology[5].

A second reason is that research shows it is not subject to tachyphylaxis. Rather than down-regulate the production of GHRH receptors, the body instead increases their production[6].