Description
Growth hormone releasing peptide 2 (GHRP-2) is a peptide that induces the release of growth hormone and secretion of cAMP, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in vitro and in vivo through binding the ghrelin receptor. GHRP-2 exhibits orexigenic, gastrointestinal modulatory, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. In animal models, GHRP-2 increases food intake and inhibits gastrointestinal contractility. GHRP-2 stimulates release of ghrelin and also decreases morphine-induced analgesia in various animal models. In vitro and in vivo, GHRP-2 decreases levels of superoxide anions and lipoxygenase, decreasing production of peroxides and accumulation of lipids. In animal models of lung injury, GHRP-2 attenuates LPS-induced increases in TNF-α and IL-6 and suppresses activation of NF-κB.