Research At a Glance
- Research Category
- Growth Hormone Axis Research
- Peptide Length
- Blend: 30 aa (CJC-1295) + 5 aa (Ipamorelin)
- Purity
- ≥ 99% (HPLC, per component)
- Published Studies
- ~75 indexed (combined literature)
- Storage
- Lyophilized: −20 °C long term, 2–8 °C short term. Reconstituted: 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Published-study figures are approximate PubMed result counts and indicate the volume of available literature only. Purity reflects third-party analytical testing on the corresponding lot; see the Quality Assurance Center for lot-matched certificates.
Overview
This combination pairs CJC-1295, a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), with Ipamorelin, a selective pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. The two compounds are studied together because they engage separate regulatory arms of the growth hormone axis: CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, activating adenylyl cyclase and cAMP-dependent GH synthesis, while Ipamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) through a distinct calcium-dependent pathway. Research on GHRH-plus-GHRP combinations has reported a synergistic GH response exceeding the sum of either pathway alone. Ipamorelin is noted in the research literature for its receptor selectivity, showing GH-releasing activity with comparatively little cortisol or prolactin co-release relative to older secretagogues.
Citation: Bowers C.Y., et al., European Journal of Endocrinology
History
CJC-1295 was developed as a long-acting GHRH analog, with a “no-DAC” (drug affinity complex) variant — also referred to as Modified GRF 1-29 — commonly used in combination research protocols for its shorter, more pulsatile activity profile compared to the DAC-conjugated version. Ipamorelin was characterized as a selective growth hormone secretagogue in the 1990s, distinguished from earlier GHRP compounds (like GHRP-6) by its comparatively narrow receptor activity. The rationale for combining GHRH analogs with ghrelin-receptor agonists dates to foundational endocrinology research in the late 1990s showing that dual-pathway stimulation produces amplified pulsatile GH release compared to single-pathway stimulation.
Citation: Howard A.D., et al., Science, 1996
Structure
| CJC-1295 | |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C165H269N47O46 |
| Molecular Weight | approximately 3647.06 g/mol |
| CAS # | 863288-34-0 |
| Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C38H49N9O5 |
| Molecular Weight | 711.85 g/mol |
| CAS # | 170851-70-4 |
Research Findings
This combination has been studied for its effects on pulsatile GH release and downstream IGF-1 signaling in both animal models and small human trials.
Key Areas of Research
- Endocrine: GHRH receptor activation (CJC-1295), ghrelin receptor activation (Ipamorelin), dual-pathway GH synergy
- Growth hormone axis: Sustained IGF-1 elevation, pulsatile GH secretion pattern preservation
- Selectivity research: Ipamorelin’s comparatively narrow off-target hormone activity (cortisol, prolactin) relative to earlier GHRPs
- Musculoskeletal: Rodent studies on longitudinal bone growth and body weight with chronic ipamorelin administration
Summary: Together, these findings support the rationale for studying CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin as a combined dual-pathway GH secretagogue tool, exploiting two non-overlapping receptor systems to approximate a more physiological, pulsatile GH release pattern than either compound alone. Human clinical research on this specific combination remains limited in scale relative to FDA-approved growth hormone therapies.
Citation: Bowers C.Y., et al., European Journal of Endocrinology
References
- Howard A.D., Feighner S.D., Cully D.F., et al. (1996). A receptor in pituitary and hypothalamus that functions in growth hormone release. Science.
- Bowers C.Y., et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology / Growth Hormone & IGF Research.
- Johansen P.B., et al. (1999). Growth hormone secretagogue effects in rats. Growth Hormone & IGF Research.
Certificate of Analysis
Every lot is independently tested and lot-matched. View Certificates of Analysis