Study summary · research use only
The cardiovascular action of hexarelin
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This concise review discusses the cardiovascular actions of hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide that binds and activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), like its natural analog ghrelin. The abstract notes that peripheral GHSR distribution in heart and blood vessels suggests hexarelin may have direct cardiovascular actions beyond growth hormone release, and that the non-GHSR receptor CD36 has been shown to be a specific cardiac receptor mediating hexarelin's cardioprotective effects. It describes hexarelin as chemically more stable and functionally more potent than ghrelin and reviews current evidence for its cardiovascular action.
Abstract
Hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide, can bind to and activate the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the brain similar to its natural analog ghrelin. However, the peripheral distribution of GHSR in the heart and blood vessels suggests that hexarelin might have direct cardiovascular actions beyond growth hormone release and neuroendocrine effects. Furthermore, the non-GHSR CD36 had been demonstrated to be a specific cardiac receptor for hexarelin and to mediate its cardioprotective effects. When compared with ghrelin, hexarelin is chemically more stable and functionally more potent. Therefore, it may be a promising therapeutic agent for some cardiovascular conditions. In this concise review, we discuss the current evidence for the cardiovascular action of hexarelin.
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