GH, Ipamorelin, CJC-1295: Research on Dermal Function

Written by Johnathon Anderson, Ph.D., a research scientist specializing in regenerative medicine and serving as an Associate Professor at the University of California Davis School of Medicine

What Are Ipamorelin and CJC-1295?

Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are peptide therapies that boost the body’s natural production of growth hormone (GH). [1,2] Ipamorelin stimulates GH release in a targeted fashion without impacting other hormones. [1] CJC-1295 also amplifies GH levels while still allowing the body to produce its natural circadian rhythm of GH pulses. [2]

Is GH Important For The Skin During Development?

GH is critical for the generation and maintenance of dermal tissues from fetal development through adulthood. [3] Analysis indicates that the receptor for GH is present in dermal cells as early as 8.5 weeks of gestation. [3] Peptides such as Ipamorelin cause the release of GH.

How Do Low GH Levels Impact Skin Health?

Low GH levels are associated with skin abnormalities such as fine wrinkling of facial skin, as well as dermal dryness. [4] The skin is also thinner, more easily damaged, and more lax. [4] Hair and nails are often described as being dry and brittle. [4]

Does Ipamorelin CJC-1295 Regulate And Maintain Healthy Skin?

Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 regulate and maintain healthy skin via upregulating GH and IGF1, which in turn increases skin elasticity, firmness, moisture, and fullness.

• Elasticity- GH induces IGF-1, which increases levels of the elasticity protein Elastin in dermal cells. [5]

• Firmness- GH increases collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix incorporation, which allows skin to feel more firm and supple. [6]

• Moisture- GH maintains skin moisture. [7]

• Fullness- Patients treated with GH were observed to have skin fullness that increased 7.1% in a clinical trial [8]

GH peptides have these same benefits, but are not steroids.

Learn more about GH peptides, and their benefits.

Interested in learning more about the science behind Ipamorelin and CJC-1295?

References

1] K Raun, B S Hansen, N L Johansen, H Thøgersen, K Madsen, M Ankersen, P H Andersen “Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue” Eur J Endocrinol 1998 Nov;139(5):552-61 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9849822/

2] Sam L. Teichman, Ann Neale, Betty Lawrence, Catherine Gagnon, Jean-Paul Castaigne, Lawrence A. Frohman “Prolonged Stimulation of Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Secretion by CJC-1295, a Long-Acting Analog of GH-Releasing Hormone, in Healthy Adults” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 91, Issue 3, 1 March 2006, Pages 799–805 https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/91/3/799/2843281?redirectedFrom=fulltext

3] Stephanie R. Edmondson, Susan P. Thumiger, George A. Werther, Christopher J. Wraight “Epidermal Homeostasis: The Role of the Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Systems” Endocrine Reviews, Volume 24, Issue 6, 1 December 2003, Pages 737–764 https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/24/6/737/2567213?login=true

4] Lewis Blevins, MD “Growth Hormone Deficiency” Pituitary World News September 28, 2014 https://pituitaryworldnews.org/growth-hormone-deficiency/#:~:text=Growth%20hormone%20deficiency%20is%20associated%20with%20several%20abnormalities%20of%20the,gaining%20fat%20and%20losing%20muscle.

5] Nour Qa’atya, Matthew Vincenta, Yanting Wanga, Andrew Wanga, Thomas F. Mittsd, Aleksander Hineka “Synthetic ligands of the elastin receptor induce elastogenesis in human dermal fibroblasts via activation of their IGF-1 receptors” J Dermatol Sci 2015 Dec;80(3):175-85 https://www.jdsjournal.com/article/S0923-1811(15)30053-0/abstract

6] Christopher D Blackstock, Yusuke Higashi, Sergiy Sukhanov, Shaw-Yung Shai, Branko Stefanovic, A Michael Tabony, Tadashi Yoshida, Patrice Delafontaine “Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Increases Synthesis of Collagen Type I via Induction of the mRNA-binding Protein LARP6 Expression and Binding to the 5′ Stem-loop of COL1a1 and COL1a2 mRNA” J Biol Chem. 2014 Jan 27;289(11):7264–7274 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3953245/#:~:text=Add%20to%20search-,Insulin%2Dlike%20Growth%20Factor%2D1%20Increases%20Synthesis%20of%20Collagen%20Type,of%20COL1a1%20and%20COL1a2%20mRNA

7] M Borlu, F Tanriverdi, CA Koc, K Unluhizarci, S Utas, F Kelestimur “The effects of severe growth hormone deficiency on the skin of patients with Sheehan's syndrome” Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2006 Nov;65(5):579-85 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01898.x

8] Daniel Rudman, M.D., Axel G. Feller, M.D., Hoskote S. Nagraj, M.D., Gregory A. Gergans, M.D., Pardee Y. Lalitha, M.D., Allen F. Goldberg, D.D.S., Robert A. Schlenker, Ph.D., Lester Cohn, M.D., Inge W. Rudman, B.S., and Dale E. Mattson, Ph.D. “Effects of Human Growth Hormone in Men over 60 Years Old” N Engl J Med 1990;323:1-6 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199007053230101