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Other names | MK-677; MK-0677; L-163,191; Oratrope |
Routes of administration | By mouth |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Elimination half-life | 4–6 hours (in beagles);[1] IGF-1 levels remain elevated in humans with a single oral dose for up to 24 hours[2] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.236.734 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C27H36N4O5S |
Molar mass | 528.67 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Ibutamoren (INN) (developmental code names MK-677, MK-0677, L-163,191; former tentative brand name Oratrope) is a potent, long-acting, orally-active, selective, and non-peptide agonist of the ghrelin receptor and a growth hormone secretagogue, mimicking the growth hormone (GH)-stimulating action of the endogenous hormone ghrelin.[3][4][5][6][7] It has been shown to increase the secretion of several hormones including GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and produces sustained increases in the plasma levels of these hormones without affecting cortisol levels.[8]
Ibutamoren has been shown to sustain activation of the GH–IGF-1 axis and to increase lean body mass with no change in total fat mass or visceral fat. It is under investigation as a potential treatment for reduced levels of these hormones, such as in children or elderly adults with growth hormone deficiency,[3][9][10][11] and human studies have shown it to increase both muscle mass and bone mineral density,[12][13] making it a promising potential therapy for the treatment of frailty in the elderly.[14][15] As of June 2017, ibutamoren is in the preclinical stage of development for growth hormone deficiency.[3]
Since MK-677 is still an Investigational New Drug, it has not yet been approved to be marketed for consumption by humans in the United States.[3] However, it has been used experimentally by some in the bodybuilding community. Since it chemically mimics the hormone ghrelin, it functions as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system and crosses the blood-brain-barrier.[4][5][6][7] According to some recent research and discussion, there is a concern that its particularly longer half-life might over-stimulate the ghrelin receptors in the brain.[16]