In mice, a brain‑injected GH‑releasing hormone blocker called MZ‑4‑71 helped them remember a task better, stopped memory loss caused by a beta‑amyloid peptide, and showed mild anti‑depression and anti‑anxiety effects, without changing general activity. However, the study used direct brain injections in animals, so it doesn’t give clear guidance for people to use this or related peptides like sermorelin in real life.

The growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) antagonist MZ-4-71 has been shown to suppress secretion of GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion. These findings suggested that GH-RH antagonists could be used for the therapy of disorders characterized by excessive GH secretion. A number of GH-RH antagonists has been synthesized, and shown to suppress the growth of various tumors. However, little is known about the possible action of GR-RH antagonists on brain functions. In the present work, the influence of MZ-4-71 on different aspects of brain function was studied in mice, following its administration into the lateral brain ventricle. The effects tested included the action of MZ-4-71 on passive avoidance learning and on the impairment of the consolidation of a passive avoidance reflex caused by beta-amyloid 25-35, antidepressive action in a forced swimming test, and anxiolytic action on plus-maze and open-field behavior. MZ-4-71 facilitated the consolidation of passive avoidance learning. Beta-amyloid 25-35 administered immediately after the learning trial impaired the consolidation of passive avoidance learning. MZ-4-71 fully blocked this impairment when given simultaneously with or 30min following beta-amyloid 25-35 administration icv. In the forced swimming tests, MZ-47-1 demonstrated antidepressive-like action and in the plus-maze, depending on the dose used it elicited mild anxiolytic action, however, in open-field behavior tests, it displayed no action on locomotion, rearing or grooming. The results demonstrate that MZ-4-71 affects the brain functions: by improving memory consolidation in passive avoidance learning and correcting the impairment of the memory consolidation caused by beta-amyloid 25-35. MZ-4-71 also elicits anxiolytic and antidepressive effects, but it does not influence the open-field activity. Further experimental work with MZ-4-71 is necessary, to determine the possible mechanism of action. The results imply a possible merit of a clinical trial with MZ-4-71 in patients with anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment, as observed in Alzheimer's disease.