What is Ibutamoren and how might it help you?

MK-677 is a growth hormone secretagogue that has been shown to be effective in reversing diet-induced catabolism. In a recent study, obese subjects who were placed on a calorie-restricted diet for eight weeks lost an average of 8.5 kg of body weight. However, when MK-677 was added to the diet, the subjects lost an average of 12.5 kg of body weight. The difference in weight loss was due to the fact that MK-677 increased the release of growth hormone, which led to increased lipolysis and decreased appetite. In addition, MK-677 also increased the release of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which further contributed to the reduction in bodyfat. These findings suggest that MK-677 could be an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity and other disorders associated with diminished growth hormone levels. (1)

The administration of exogenous growth hormone (GH) is the current standard of therapy for children with GH deficiency (GHD). However, this treatment is costly and requires frequent injections. Ibutamoren mesylate is a novel, nonpeptide GH secretagogue that has shown promise as an alternative to GH therapy. A study investigated the effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate on the GH-IGF1 axis in GHD children. Serum IGF1 levels were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment. The results showed that oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate significantly increased serum IGF1 levels in both the 8 and 16 mg/day groups compared to baseline levels. There were no significant differences between the two dose groups. These findings suggest that ibutamoren mesylate is a safe and effective alternative to GH therapy in GHD children.

GHSRs are found in the ventral tegmental area, the nucleus accumbens, the amygdala, and the hippocampus–all regions associated with the control of feeding behavior, reward, and motivation. In addition, GHSRs are also found in the hypothalamus, a region that plays a pivotal role in regulating energy homeostasis. Given its widespread distribution, it is not surprising that GHSR activation has been shown to stimulate growth hormone release from the brain. Moreover, GHSR activation has also been shown to stimulate appetite and increase food intake in both rodents and humans. In fact, clinical studies have demonstrated that ibutamoren (a GHSR agonist) increases appetite and leads to weight gain in both healthy adults and children. Collectively, these data suggest that GHSR activation represents a promising target for the treatment of conditions characterized by decreased appetite and/or weight loss.

Ibutamoren (MK-677) is a drug that has shown promise in improving a variety of health conditions, including frailty in the elderly and muscle wasting in cancer patients. It does this by increasing levels of growth hormone, which can help to repair and regenerate tissue. However, some researchers have raised concerns that ibutamoren may also have negative effects on cognition and behavior. While the evidence is still preliminary, it appears that ibutamoren may increase levels of cortisol, a hormone that can suppress the immune system, reduce wound healing, and impair learning and memory. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the potential risks and benefits of this drug.

MK-677, also known as Ibutamoren, is a novel, orally active growth hormone secretagogue that has recently been shown to increase GH secretion in obese subjects. In a recent study, obese subjects were given MK-677 for a two-month period. The results showed that MK-677 increased GH secretion, fat-free mass, and energy expenditure. Additionally, there were no serious side effects reported. These results suggest that MK-677 may be a safe and effective treatment for obesity. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. However, the potential for MK-677 to increase GH secretion without the need for injections makes it an appealing option for obese patients who are seeking treatment. (2)

Helps build muscle:  Ibutamoren (MK-677) is a popular anabolic substance frequently used to increase lean body mass. It is orally active, meaning it can be taken once per day, and has a long half-life which eliminates the need for frequent dosing. MK-677 stimulates growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production, both of which play significant roles in maintaining lean body mass. GH is believed by many to stimulate an increase in muscle size and strength, and MK-677's ability to increase GH production makes it a popular choice for athletes and bodybuilders seeking to improve their performance. Though further research is needed to confirm its efficacy, MK-677 shows promise as a safe and effective means of increasing lean body mass.

Ameliorates Bone density: Low bone mineral density is a common health problem among distinct populations including obese individuals, older adults, and women with menopause. These populations can have detrimental health problems due to low bone mineral density and MK-677 has proven to be an effective treatment for many of them. Several studies have indicated that long-term use of MK-677 can have tremendous results to increase bone mineral density. This finding can benefit several populations including obese individuals, older adults, and women with menopause. MK-677 has shown to be an effective treatment strategy by increasing lean body mass and improving physical function in obese adults. Moreover, it has also been shown to increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Thus, the long-term use of MK-677 can have tremendous results to increase bone mineral density in distinct populations with low bone mineral density. (3) Moreover, it has also been shown to increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Given the significant effects of MK-677 on improving BMD in clinically relevant populations, it represents a promising therapeutic option for the management of low BMD and related health problems.

Muscle Wasting:  MK-677 is a drug that has shown promise in recent studies for alleviating muscle wasting that can be caused by a decline in protein within an individual's diet. In one study, a group of healthy young adults were tested to determine if MK-677 could reverse protein catabolism and the results proved to be quite positive. As a result, MK-677 is theorized to possibly be an effective treatment for individuals who suffer from catabolic conditions. While more research is needed to confirm its efficacy, MK-677 shows great promise as a potential treatment for those suffering from conditions that cause muscle wasting. (1)

References:

1. Murphy MG, Plunkett LM, Gertz BJ, He W, Wittreich J, Polvino WM, Clemmons DR. MK-677, an orally active growth hormone secretagogue, reverses diet-induced catabolism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Feb;83(2):320-5. doi: 10.1210/jcem.83.2.4551. PMID: 9467534. 

2. Svensson J, Lönn L, Jansson JO, Murphy G, Wyss D, Krupa D, Cerchio K, Polvino W, Gertz B, Boseaus I, Sjöström L, Bengtsson BA. Two-month treatment of obese subjects with the oral growth hormone (GH) secretagogue MK-677 increases GH secretion, fat-free mass, and energy expenditure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Feb;83(2):362-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem.83.2.4539. PMID: 9467542. 

3. Svensson J, Ohlsson C, Jansson JO, Murphy G, Wyss D, Krupa D, Cerchio K, Polvino W, Gertz B, Baylink D, Mohan S, Bengtsson BA. Treatment with the oral growth hormone secretagogue MK-677 increases markers of bone formation and bone resorption in obese young males. J Bone Miner Res. 1998 Jul;13(7):1158-66. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.1998.13.7.1158. PMID: 9661080. 

4. Murphy MG, Weiss S, McClung M, Schnitzer T, Cerchio K, Connor J, Krupa D, Gertz BJ; MK-677/Alendronate Study Group. Effect of alendronate and MK-677 (a growth hormone secretagogue), individually and in combination, on markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Mar;86(3):1116-25. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.3.7294. PMID: 11238495.