Hexarelin vs LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a potent synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. It provides the strongest GH release among GHRPs but is associated with rapid desensitization of receptors.
Full details →LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. It plays crucial roles in innate immunity and has shown diverse biological activities including antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and wound healing properties.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Hexarelin | LL-37 (Cathelicidin) |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 100 mcg–300 mcg | 500 mcg–1.6 mg |
| Frequency | 2x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 8–12 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | topical |
| Mechanism | Acts as a ghrelin mimetic with high potency at the GHS receptor. Provides powerful GH release but receptor desensitization occurs faster than with other GHRPs, requiring cycling. | Disrupts bacterial membranes, neutralizes endotoxins, modulates immune cell function, and promotes wound healing. Has both direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. |
| Typical Dosage | Typical dosing: 100-200mcg administered 2-3 times daily for 4-6 weeks, followed by an equal off period to allow receptor resensitization. | Research protocols vary widely. Typical ranges: 50-200mcg administered subcutaneously 2-3 times weekly. Some protocols use higher doses for acute infections. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Cycling is essential to maintain effectiveness. Often used in short bursts rather than continuous protocols. | Subcutaneous injection. Can cause significant injection site reactions. Often used in conjunction with other immune-supporting protocols. |
| Side Effects | Water retention, cortisol and prolactin increase, hunger (moderate), tingling, and potential blood pressure effects. | Injection site pain and reactions are common. May cause flu-like symptoms, temporary fatigue, or immune activation responses. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Hexarelin, LL-37 (Cathelicidin) are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Hexarelin:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
| Goal | Hexarelin | LL-37 (Cathelicidin) |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery & Healing | medium | medium |
Key Studies
Hexarelin
- Hexarelin promotes the survival of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve transection.
Indian journal of pharmacology, 2026
- Hexarelin alleviates apoptosis on ischemic acute kidney injury via MDM2/p53 pathway.
European journal of medical research, 2023
- Hexarelin attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and inflammasome activation.
Microvascular research, 2022
LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
- Cathelicidin LL-37 Expression in Human Breast Implant Capsules.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2024
- Salivary Cathelicidin (LL-37) in Children and Adolescents Living with HIV.
Biomedicine hub, 2024
- Antifungal properties of cathelicidin LL-37: current knowledge and future research directions.
World journal of microbiology & biotechnology, 2023
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