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Narrative review · PMID 41966639

Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance — VialBase Research

Sermorelin is among 12 peptides reviewed for musculoskeletal applications

Last updated · 2026 · Mendias CL, Awan TM · Sports Medicine
Key findings
  • Sermorelin is among 12 peptides reviewed for musculoskeletal applications
  • Most unapproved peptides show favorable outcomes in animal models but lack rigorous human safety data
  • Potential for serious harm to patients using unregulated peptides
  • Sermorelin activates IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair pathways

PMID 41966639 — Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries

Compound: Sermorelin Citation: Mendias CL, Awan TM. Sports Med. 2026 Apr 12. doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0

Summary

Comprehensive narrative review evaluating the safety profiles and regulatory status of 12 approved and unapproved peptides marketed for musculoskeletal injuries and athletic performance, including Sermorelin, SS-31, Tesamorelin, BPC-157, GHK-Cu, Ipamorelin, MOTS-c, AOD-9604, CJC-1295, FS-344, thymosin beta-4, and TB-500.

Key Findings

  • Growth hormone secretagogues (sermorelin, CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin) activate IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair
  • Many unapproved peptides demonstrate favorable tissue repair and metabolic outcomes in animal models
  • Rigorous human safety data are scarce for most compounds
  • Potential for serious harm when patients use unregulated products
  • Regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly

Relevance to Sermorelin

Sermorelin is categorized among growth hormone secretagogues with mechanistic rationale for musculoskeletal benefit, but the review emphasizes the gap between animal evidence and human clinical validation for off-label uses.

PubMed

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