Long-Term Oral GHRP-2 Increases Appetite and Weight in GH-Deficient Adults
Oral GHRP-2 given long-term to GH-deficient adults significantly increased appetite and body weight alongside GH/IGF-1 elevation, confirming orexigenic effects are a persistent feature of chronic GH secretagogue therapy.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Chronic oral GHRP-2 in GH-deficient adults produced persistent increases in appetite and body weight alongside GH/IGF-1 elevation, confirming sustained orexigenic effects of long-term GH secretagogue therapy.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Clinical trial of oral GHRP-2 in GH-deficient adults. Appetite (subjective assessment), body weight, GH, and IGF-1 measured over the treatment course.
Why This Research Matters
The persistent appetite increase from GH secretagogues is both a feature (for cachexia treatment) and a bug (for patients wanting GH benefits without weight gain). This defines the clinical trade-off.
The Bigger Picture
Every GH secretagogue prescriber must manage the appetite-weight trade-off. For wasting patients, appetite increase is therapeutic. For others, dietary counseling or combination therapy may be needed.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Open-label clinical trial. Specific appetite and weight quantification limited in abstract. The body weight gain composition (fat vs lean) not detailed.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can the appetite effect be managed with dietary guidance?
- ?Would combining GHRP-2 with GLP-1 agonists counteract appetite increase?
- ?Is the weight gain primarily fat or lean mass?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Persistent appetite The appetite-increasing effect of GHRP-2 didn't fade with chronic use — it's a sustained feature of GH secretagogue therapy, not a transient side effect
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate evidence from a clinical trial in the target population demonstrating persistent orexigenic effects alongside hormonal endpoints.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2003. The appetite side effect of GH secretagogues is now well-established and factored into clinical decision-making.
- Original Title:
- Changes in appetite and body weight in response to long-term oral administration of the ghrelin agonist GHRP-2 in growth hormone deficient children.
- Published In:
- Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM, 16(7), 981-5 (2003)
- Authors:
- Mericq, Verónica, Cassorla, Fernando, Bowers, Cyril Y(20), Avila, Alejandra, Gonen, Boas, Merriam, George R
- Database ID:
- RPEP-00848
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Will GH peptides make me hungry?
Yes — this study confirms oral GHRP-2 persistently increases appetite. For people with wasting conditions, this is helpful. For others, it needs to be managed with dietary awareness.
Does the hunger go away over time?
No — the appetite increase persisted throughout treatment. It didn't wear off with continued use, so it's a long-term feature of GH secretagogue therapy to plan for.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-00848APA
Mericq, Verónica; Cassorla, Fernando; Bowers, Cyril Y; Avila, Alejandra; Gonen, Boas; Merriam, George R. (2003). Changes in appetite and body weight in response to long-term oral administration of the ghrelin agonist GHRP-2 in growth hormone deficient children.. Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM, 16(7), 981-5.
MLA
Mericq, Verónica, et al. "Changes in appetite and body weight in response to long-term oral administration of the ghrelin agonist GHRP-2 in growth hormone deficient children.." Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM, 2003.
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Changes in appetite and body weight in response to long-term..." RPEP-00848. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/mericq-2003-changes-in-appetite-and
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.