The cardiovascular action of hexarelin.
Mao. Yuanjie Y; Tokudome. Takeshi T; Kishimoto. Ichiro I
Key Findings
- Hexarelin binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and the cardiac receptor CD36.
- It shows stronger and more stable activity than ghrelin.
- Pre‑clinical data suggest cardioprotective effects, making it a candidate for heart‑related therapies.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, hexarelin looks promising for heart health, but there are no clear dosing guidelines or safety data for personal use yet. It’s mainly a research compound, so waiting for more concrete clinical trials before trying it is advisable.
Summary
Hexarelin is a lab-made peptide that works like the natural hormone ghrelin but is more stable and stronger. It can act directly on the heart and blood vessels, not just by boosting growth hormone, and may protect the heart through a special receptor called CD36. Researchers think it could become a drug for heart problems, but the evidence is still mostly from early studies and reviews.
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.
Study Information
pubmed
2014
2014-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2014.03.007
29
51