MK-677 MK
Oral GHS-R1a agonist (non-peptide)
Oral non-peptide agonist of the ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a, also called ibutamoren, studied for effects on growth hormone and IGF-I levels.
Evidence level. Published human clinical data exists, from trials or approved use. About the badges
- Class
- Oral GHS-R1a agonist (non-peptide)
- Category
- Growth Hormone Axis
- Type
- Single compound
- Abbreviation
- MK
- Development and regulatory status
- Not approved; investigational oral non-peptide ghrelin mimetic
What researchers study
Orally active, non-peptide agonist of the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), also called ibutamoren. It stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release and raises IGF-I in clinical studies.
Research areas
- Ghrelin-receptor and GH/IGF-1 axis studies
- Body composition in older-adult trials
- Insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
- Appetite and food-intake signalling
Reported findings
Summaries of published results. Each one is tagged with the type of study behind it. They describe research outcomes and are not claims about any product. Why study type matters.
- human trial
In a 2-year randomised trial of 65 healthy older adults, MK-677 raised GH and IGF-I to young-adult levels without serious adverse effects
- human trial
Over 12 months fat-free mass changed by +1.1 kg with MK-677 versus -0.5 kg with placebo in the same trial
- human trial
The authors noted the study was underpowered to assess functional end points in healthy elderly people
Studied alongside
Compounds that appear together in research because their mechanisms complement each other, or as comparators. The reasons given are research reasoning, not recommendations for use.
- Ipamorelinpeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist compared with the non-peptide mimetic
- GHRP-6peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist also tested for food-intake effects
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)GHRH analogue acting on a separate receptor from ghrelin mimetics
- TesamorelinGHRH analogue offering a different route to GH release
