Sermorelin
Potential Benefits of Sermorelin
- Promotes healthy muscles and bones [1-5]
- Lowers the risk of heart disease [6-8]
- Boosts immunity [9-11]
- Lowers blood pressure [12-15]
- Helps lose weight [16-19]
- Promotes wound healing [20-24]
- Improves brain health [25-26]
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin acetate, also known as sermorelin, is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is mainly used for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children. It is also used for the evaluation of pituitary function. Insufficiency of GHRH can impair growth and lead to various health issues. Sermorelin exerts its health benefits by boosting the production of growth hormone in the body.
How Sermorelin Works?
Sermorelin stimulates the pituitary gland to increase the production of growth hormone (GH) and, subsequently, the level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This in turn contributes to muscle growth, fat loss, bone repair, and improved wound healing.
Research on Sermorelin
Promotes Healthy Muscles and Bones
Studies show that sermorelin is vital for muscle and bone health:
- A study showed that sermorelin treatment resulted in increased lean body mass. [1]
- In healthy adult men, sermorelin therapy improved the muscle strength on the lower part of the body. [2]
- A study found that GH deficiency was associated with increased risk of osteoporosis, suggesting that boosting GH levels with sermorelin may have a positive effect. [3]
- A study showed that GH deficiency inhibits bone growth and increases the risk of bone complications. [4]
- In GH-deficient children, daily administration of sermorelin was found to be effective in increasing the height of the subjects. [5]
Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease
Sermorelin has also been shown to protect against heart disease:
- In rats that suffered from heart attack, sermorelin treatment promoted recovery by reducing the inflammatory response. [6]
- A study showed that sermorelin treatment improved blood flow to the heart. [7]
- A study has shown that treatment with sermorelin produced therapeutic effects on the heart’s function and performance after a heart attack. [8]
Boosts Immunity
Evidence also supports the immune-boosting properties of sermorelin:
- In rodents, the administration of sermorelin significantly improved the production of immune system cells. [9]
- In aging individuals, the supplementation of sermorelin showed great immune-enhancing benefits. [10]
- In burned mice infected with herpes, daily administration of sermorelin profoundly increased the survival rate of the subjects. [11]
Lowers Blood Pressure
Studies show that sermorelin has anti-hypertensive properties:
- In rats, the administration of sermorelin produced blood pressure-lowering effects. [12]
- A number of studies suggest that sermorelin lowers blood pressure by reducing resistance within the blood vessels and improving blood circulation. [13-15]
Helps Lose Weight
Sermorelin can also help reduce body fat mass and improve body composition:
- In obese adults, weekly administration of sermorelin resulted in a significant reduction in abdominal fat. [16]
- In obese patients, sermorelin supplementation accelerated body fat loss, especially in the abdominal area. [17]
- In older adults, the supplementation of sermorelin demonstrated consistency in improving body composition. [18]
- In rats with fatty liver, treatment with sermorelin reduced weight and fat accumulation. [19]
Promotes Wound Healing
Studies suggest that the GH-boosting effects of sermorelin can help speed up the wound healing process:
- A study showed that topical application of GHRH resulted in shorter and better wound healing. [20]
- A review of studies showed that GH deficiency was associated with poor wound healing. [21]
- In mice, the application of GH-containing collagen film improved wound healing. [22]
- In a mouse model of pressure ulcer, skin application of sermorelin accelerated the wound healing in the subjects. [23]
- A study showed that sermorelin promoted the healing and repair of wounded tissues in the skin. [24]
Improves Brain Health
Sermorelin can also play a role in improving cognitive function:
- In healthy adults and adults with mild cognitive impairment, sermorelin administration improved learning, memory, and other brain functions. [25]
- In patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), sermorelin therapy was shown to be effective in treating TBI-associated cognitive dysfunction. [26]
Associated Side Effects of Sermorelin
Sermorelin side effects are very uncommon. There have been some side effects associated with the use of this drug wherein the patient had one of the issues listed below at some point while being on sermorelin. However, these side effects weren’t confirmed to be associated with the treatment and could have been a coincidence and not related to the use of sermorelin. Despite this, it was listed as a side effect associated with sermorelin even though these associated side effects are very uncommon.
Side effects associated with sermorelin may include the following:
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Headache
- Hives
- Hyperactivity
- Nausea
- Pale skin
- Rash
- Sleepiness
- Tightness in the chest
- Vomiting
References
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- Tavares AB, Micmacher E, Biesek S, et al. Effects of Growth Hormone Administration on Muscle Strength in Men over 50 Years Old. Int J Endocrinol. 2013;2013:942030. doi:10.1155/2013/942030.
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