Hexarelin (also referenced in the literature as Examorelin) is a synthetic ghrelin analogue structurally related to growth hormone secretagogue peptides (GHS peptides). In research settings, hexarelin is used as a laboratory tool compound to investigate receptor selectivity and downstream signaling associated with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and other binding partners reported in preclinical models.

Preclinical and cellular studies have applied hexarelin in experimental paradigms focused on stress-response signaling, intracellular ion handling, oxidative stress markers, and survival-associated pathway readouts in defined model systems.

Source: PubChem

Sequence: His-D-Trp(2-Me)-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys
Molecular Formula: C₄₇H₅₈N₁₂O₆
Molecular Weight: 887.059 g/mol
PubChem CID: 6918297
CAS Number: 140703-51-1

• Receptor pharmacology studies involving GHSR signaling and ligand–receptor selectivity
• Cellular stress-response experiments assessing survival-associated pathway readouts under defined conditions (e.g., nutrient deprivation or oxidative challenge models)
• Mechanistic studies of intracellular calcium dynamics and excitation–contraction coupling markers in cardiomyocyte model systems
• Preclinical investigation of fibrosis-associated molecular endpoints and remodeling-associated signaling in animal models
• Metabolic pathway studies evaluating lipid and insulin-resistance endpoints in defined preclinical models
• Skeletal muscle model research assessing mitochondrial integrity and calcium homeostasis markers in cachexia-associated paradigms

Hexarelin is commonly used to probe signaling networks downstream of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in cellular and animal studies. Depending on the model system, reported mechanistic investigations include modulation of stress-response pathways, intracellular calcium handling, inflammatory mediators, and oxidative stress markers. Separate lines of research have evaluated interactions with CD36-associated signaling in cardiac model contexts, supporting broader mechanistic exploration of receptor cross-talk and pathway convergence in defined experimental settings^{[1], [3]}.

In cardiomyocyte-focused paradigms, hexarelin has been studied in relation to apoptosis-associated markers and remodeling-related signaling cascades, including PTEN-linked pathway nodes and downstream survival signaling readouts in animal models^{[3], [8]}.

Hexarelin is commonly used to probe signaling networks downstream of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in cellular and animal studies. Depending on the model system, reported mechanistic investigations include modulation of stress-response pathways, intracellular calcium handling, inflammatory mediators, and oxidative stress markers. Separate lines of research have evaluated interactions with CD36-associated signaling in cardiac model contexts, supporting broader mechanistic exploration of receptor cross-talk and pathway convergence in defined experimental settings^{[1], [3]}.

In cardiomyocyte-focused paradigms, hexarelin has been studied in relation to apoptosis-associated markers and remodeling-related signaling cascades, including PTEN-linked pathway nodes and downstream survival signaling readouts in animal models^{[3], [8]}.

Cardiac Model Systems (Cell Survival, Remodeling Markers, and Functional Readouts)

Rodent studies and cardiomyocyte model experiments have evaluated hexarelin in ischemia/reperfusion paradigms and related stress models, measuring apoptosis-associated markers, oxidative stress endpoints, inflammatory mediators, and function-related readouts within controlled experimental designs^{[1], [2], [4], [5], [8]}.

Preclinical myocardial injury model readouts comparing experimental groups.
Source: PubMed

Additional animal-model work has examined myocardial fibrosis-associated endpoints and remodeling-associated molecular markers in infarction and hypertension-associated paradigms^{[4], [5]}. Studies have also investigated intracellular calcium regulation in in vitro ischemia/reperfusion models as a candidate mechanistic contributor to observed pathway readouts in cardiomyocytes^{[7], [8]}.

Mechanistic schematic illustrating pathway nodes evaluated in preclinical myocardial injury models.
Source: PubMed

Metabolic Model Context (Lipid and Insulin-Resistance Endpoints)

In defined preclinical metabolic models, investigators have reported lipid-related measurements and insulin-resistance endpoints following hexarelin exposure, supporting continued mechanistic study of ghrelin-analogue signaling in metabolic pathway research^[9].

Skeletal Muscle and Cachexia-Associated Model Systems

Growth hormone secretagogue peptides, including hexarelin, have been studied in rat cachexia-associated paradigms to evaluate mitochondrial integrity markers, skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis, and related molecular endpoints under chemotherapy-associated stress conditions^{[10], [11]}.

A. Mitochondrial DNA content relative to control
B. Content of MCH1 and MHC2A mRNA
C. Protein content of muscle cells relative to control
Source: PubMed

Receptor Pharmacology and Ligand Development Context

Additional literature has described the development and characterization of ghrelin receptor ligands, including potency and selectivity assessments and endocrine/extraendocrine signaling observations in preclinical research contexts^[12].

• Supplied as a research-grade peptide reagent intended for controlled laboratory workflows
• Certificate of Analysis (COA), HPLC, and MS documentation provided below as supplied for this product lot
• Identity and composition supported by analytical characterization (methodology may vary by lot)
• Not manufactured or labeled for diagnostic, therapeutic, clinical, or veterinary applications