MK-677 Safely Increases GH and IGF-1 in GH-Deficient Adults Over 4 Weeks
Oral MK-677 (ibutamoren) at 10 and 25 mg/day for 4 weeks increased GH and IGF-1 levels in adults with GH deficiency, with good tolerability and dose-dependent effects.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
MK-677 at 10 and 25 mg/day increased GH and IGF-1 dose-dependently over 4 weeks in GH-deficient adults with acceptable safety, supporting its potential as oral GH replacement therapy.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Open-label clinical trial evaluating MK-677 at 10 and 25 mg/day for 4 weeks in adults with GH deficiency. GH profiles, IGF-1, safety parameters, and tolerability assessed.
Why This Research Matters
Adults with GH deficiency currently need daily injections. An oral alternative that safely restores GH and IGF-1 levels would dramatically improve treatment convenience and compliance.
The Bigger Picture
Oral GH secretagogues could transform GH deficiency treatment from daily injections to a simple pill, making therapy accessible to many more patients who currently forgo treatment due to injection burden.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Open-label (no placebo). 4 weeks may not predict long-term efficacy or safety. Whether the GH/IGF-1 increases translate to clinical benefit was not assessed.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does longer MK-677 treatment maintain efficacy without tachyphylaxis?
- ?Do the GH/IGF-1 increases translate to improved body composition and quality of life?
- ?What is the optimal long-term dose for GH replacement?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Pill replaces injection? Oral MK-677 increased GH and IGF-1 dose-dependently in GH-deficient adults — the first step toward replacing daily GH injections with a pill
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate evidence from a clinical trial in the relevant patient population, limited by open-label design and short duration.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2001. MK-677 has not been FDA-approved for GH deficiency, but studies like this have informed ongoing clinical development.
- Original Title:
- Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, on the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in growth hormone-deficient children.
- Published In:
- Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 70(1), 91-8 (2001)
- Authors:
- Codner, E, Cassorla, F, Tiulpakov, A N, Mericq, M V, Avila, A, Pescovitz, O H, Svensson, J, Cerchio, K, Krupa, D, Gertz, B J, Murphy, G
- Database ID:
- RPEP-00660
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Could a pill replace GH injections?
This study shows MK-677 taken as a daily pill increases GH and IGF-1 in people who lack sufficient growth hormone. While not yet approved for this use, it demonstrates the potential for oral GH replacement.
Is MK-677 safe for GH-deficient people?
In this 4-week study, it was well-tolerated with mild side effects (appetite increase, temporary water retention). Longer-term safety studies are needed, but short-term safety was acceptable.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-00660APA
Codner, E; Cassorla, F; Tiulpakov, A N; Mericq, M V; Avila, A; Pescovitz, O H; Svensson, J; Cerchio, K; Krupa, D; Gertz, B J; Murphy, G. (2001). Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, on the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in growth hormone-deficient children.. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 70(1), 91-8.
MLA
Codner, E, et al. "Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, on the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in growth hormone-deficient children.." Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 2001.
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a non..." RPEP-00660. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/codner-2001-effects-of-oral-administration
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.