Side-by-side · Research reference

AdipotidevsGHRP-2

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED15/49 cited

BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED15/42 cited

Adipotide

Pro-apoptotic Vascular-Targeting Peptide · Preclinical Only

PreclinicalStatus

PHB1TargetHossen 2013

ApoptosisMechanismHossen 2013

IV · Systemic · Preclinical Protocols OnlyHossen 2013

GHRP-2

Hexapeptide GHRP · Phase 2 (clinical diagnostic)

100–300 mcgPer doseBowers 1990

Phase 2Evidence levelBowers 1990 Sigalos 2018

~30 minHalf-lifeMalagón 1999

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Adipotide

GHRP-2

Primary target

Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) on adipose vasculature endotheliumHossen 2013

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryBowers 1990

Pathway

CKGGRAKDC domain binds PHB1 → Peptide internalisation → D(KLAKLAK)₂ mitochondrial membrane disruption

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisBowers 2002

Downstream effect

Endothelial apoptosis → Adipose vascular collapse → Adipocyte involution → Weight loss

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; appetite increase via ghrelin agonismBowers 2002

Feedback intact?

N/A — Direct apoptotic mechanism, non-hormonal

Yes, with somatostatin feedback active

Origin

Synthetic bioconjugate: PHB1-targeting homing peptide + pro-apoptotic KLA sequence

Synthetic hexapeptide; developed by Bowers/Tulane group in the 1980sBowers 1990

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Adipotide

GHRP-2

Animal dose (mouse)

Low dose (not specified in abstract)Hossen 2013

Systemic injection in diet-induced obesity (DIO) models.Hossen 2013

—

Route

Intravenous (systemic injection)

—

Frequency

Not specified in available data

1–3× per day

Evidence basis

Preclinical animal models only

Phase 2 + clinical diagnostic useBowers 1990

Human data

None — no clinical trials reported

—

Standard dose

—

100–300 mcg per injectionBowers 1990

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Duration

—

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Half-life

—

~30 minMalagón 1999

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

Adipotide

GHRP-2

Primary fat target

White adipose tissue (all depots)

—

Mechanism

Vascular apoptosis → adipose blood supply collapse → adipocyte deathHossen 2013

—

Body weight reduction

Significant reduction in DIO miceHossen 2013

Absolute values not provided in abstract.

—

Leptin levels

Significant decrease

Parallel to adipose mass reduction.

—

Effect on adipocytes

Antiobesity effect on dysfunctional adipose cells (adipocytes + macrophages)Hossen 2013

—

Ectopic fat

Reduction in ectopic fat depositionHossen 2013

Marker of dysfunctional adipose tissue / metabolic syndrome.

—

Species tested

Obese rhesus monkeys, DIO mice

—

Human translation

Unknown — no clinical trials

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Adipotide

GHRP-2

Safety profile

Unknown — preclinical data only

—

Vascular selectivity

Targets adipose vasculature; off-target vascular effects unknown

—

Apoptotic mechanism risk

Pro-apoptotic payload may affect unintended tissues if selectivity incomplete

—

Kidney / liver toxicity

Not reported in available data

—

Immunogenicity

Not assessed in available data

—

Cortisol elevation

—

Mild but measurableBowers 1990

Prolactin elevation

—

Mild but measurable

Hunger

—

Strong appetite increase

Injection site reaction

—

Mild erythema

IGF-1 elevation

—

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Adipotide

·Human use — not approved, no clinical safety data

GHRP-2

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Adipotide

·Any condition requiring intact adipose-tissue vascularisation

GHRP-2

·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Adipotide

GHRP-2

1. Route

Intravenous injection (systemic) in preclinical models. No human protocols exist.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.

2. Formulation

Bioconjugate peptide. May also be encapsulated in nanoparticles (prohibitin-targeted nanoparticle formulation, KLA-PTNP, showed superior efficacy vs. free bioconjugate in mice).Hossen 2013

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Preclinical dosing

Low-dose systemic injection (exact dosing not specified in available abstract). Frequency and duration not detailed.Hossen 2013

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred.

4. Storage

Not specified — likely requires peptide-grade lyophilised storage and reconstitution.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Adipotide

— no documented stacks

GHRP-2

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

GHRP-2 + CJC-1295-no-DAC is a higher-amplitude alternative to the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 stack. GHRP-2 produces a stronger pulse but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose when maximum GH amplitude is the goal and the side-effect tolerance is acceptable.

GHRP-2: 100–200 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: High-amplitude GH pulse, body composition

Bowers 1990 Teichman 2006