Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsGHRP-2

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

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited

BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED15/42 cited

ARA 290

EPO-Derived Peptide · Innate Repair Receptor Agonist

4 mgDaily doseBrines 2015 Culver 2017

28 daysPhase 2 durationCulver 2017

Non-erythropoieticSafety profileBrines 2015 Liu 2014

SQ · DailyBrines 2015 Culver 2017

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

ARA 290

GHRP-2

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryBowers 1990

Pathway

EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades

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

Downstream effect

Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014 Culver 2017

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

Feedback intact?

N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014

Yes, with somatostatin feedback active

Origin

11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties

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

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

GHRP-2

Standard dose (Phase 2)

4 mg / dayBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.

—

Frequency

Once daily

Self-administered subcutaneously.

1–3× per day

Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Phase 2 + clinical diagnostic useBowers 1990

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

—

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Standard dose

—

100–300 mcg per injectionBowers 1990

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Half-life

—

~30 minMalagón 1999

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

GHRP-2

Primary effect

Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015

Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.

—

HbA1c

Significant reduction vs placebo

Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.

—

Fasting glucose

Improved in ARA 290 group

—

Body composition

Not directly quantified

Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ARA 290

GHRP-2

Injection site reaction

Mild, transient

Mild erythema

Hematopoiesis

None — non-erythropoietic

Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.

—

Cardiovascular

No thrombotic events or hypertension reported

—

Immunogenicity

No antibody formation reported

—

Tolerability

Well-tolerated in Phase 2 trialsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

—

Cortisol elevation

—

Mild but measurableBowers 1990

Prolactin elevation

—

Mild but measurable

Hunger

—

Strong appetite increase

IGF-1 elevation

—

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

GHRP-2

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)

GHRP-2

·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

GHRP-2

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

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

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred.

4. Dosing

4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017

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

5. Storage

Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

ARA 290

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

ARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.

ARA 290: 4 mg SQ · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Frequency: Once daily, same or separate injections
Primary benefit: Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing

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