Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsSermorelin

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 3HUMAN-REVIEWED14/43 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

Sermorelin

GHRH 1-29 fragment · Short-acting

100–500 mcgPer doseMolteno 2013

Phase 3Evidence levelWalker 1994 Molteno 2013

~12 minHalf-lifeMolteno 2013

SQ · Pre-sleep · 1×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Sermorelin

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Pituitary GHRH receptorWalker 1994

Pathway

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

GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisWalker 1994

Downstream effect

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

Pulsatile GH release; subsequent IGF-1 elevationMolteno 2013

Feedback intact?

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

Yes — short pulse preserves feedback

Origin

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

Unmodified active 29-AA fragment of human GHRH (1-44)Walker 1994

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Sermorelin

Standard dose (Phase 2)

4 mg / dayBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.

—

Frequency

Once daily

Self-administered subcutaneously.

Once daily, pre-sleep

Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

8–12 weeks per cycle

Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Phase 3 (Geref pediatric); clinical practiceWalker 1994 Molteno 2013

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

—

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

Pre-sleep, fasted preferred

Standard dose

—

100–500 mcg per injectionMolteno 2013

Lower / starter dose

—

100 mcg per dose

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Half-life

—

~12 min (plasma)Molteno 2013

Shorter than tesamorelin (~26 min) — simpler GHRH analogue.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Sermorelin

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

Sermorelin

Injection site reaction

Mild, transient

Mild erythema, transient pain

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

—

Flushing / headache

—

Common transient effect

IGF-1 elevation

—

Modest at standard doses

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Glucose handling

—

Generally neutral

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Sermorelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

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

Sermorelin

·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Sermorelin

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 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.

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

Sermorelin

+ Ipamorelin

Strong

View Ipamorelin →

Sermorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (selective GHRP) form the prototypical GHRH+GHRP dual-axis stack at the lowest cost. Both peak within 30 min and produce a sharp physiological GH pulse without cortisol/prolactin elevation.

Sermorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition

Raun 1998 Walker 1994