Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

Summary

Review article (not original research) on therapeutic peptides as possible adjuncts in managing orthopaedic injuries. For ipamorelin the relevant point is brief. The review lists it among growth hormone secretagogues, alongside CJC-1295, tesamorelin, sermorelin and AOD-9604, and describes that group as activating IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair. The authors conclude that preclinical studies are promising but clinical trials are currently lacking.

Key Findings

• Ipamorelin is grouped with CJC-1295, tesamorelin, sermorelin and AOD-9604 as growth hormone secretagogues described as activating IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair
• The review frames peptide effects through signaling pathways including PI3K/Akt, mTOR, MAPK, TGF-β and AMPK, linked to tissue regeneration, inflammation resolution and neuromuscular recovery
• Other groups covered: wound-healing peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu), recovery-enhancing agents (epithalon, delta sleep-inducing peptide, pinealon) and neuroactive peptides (selank, semax, dihexa)
• Despite promising preclinical studies, there is a current lack of clinical trials

Relevance to Ipamorelin

Offers the mechanistic rationale, via IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair, for interest in growth hormone secretagogues like ipamorelin in musculoskeletal recovery. It is not evidence of benefit in people. The abstract reports no ipamorelin-specific data and does not discuss ipamorelin combined with CJC-1295, and the authors note that clinical trials are lacking.

Citation

Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2026;10(1):e25.00236. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236. PMID: 41490200

See Also

• Parent compound: Ipamorelin
• CJC-1295