Let’s Review: A 2021 Medical Study on MK-0677

Ibutamoren MK 0677 Overview

What if that research breakthrough you are looking for could be closer than you think?

There is plenty of research potential when it comes to MK-677. And that potential includes scientists and researchers exploring how it might interact with other selective androgen receptor modulators, SARMs in different ways.

But what is MK-677? Why is there mystery and controversy surrounding it, and what makes it worth researching? Keep reading to discover the answer!

What Is MK 677?

Let’s begin our guide by addressing the most fundamental question: What exactly is MK-677?

MK-677, also referred to as Ibutamoren, distinguishes itself from anabolic steroids. It’s a unique synthetic non-peptide agonist that mirrors the natural hormone ghrelin produced by our bodies.

Research has uncovered that growth hormone has the potential to elevate the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 within the body. In the same vein, these studies have provided evidence that MK-677 enhances bone turnover and triggers increased activity in osteoblasts among elderly subjects. This observation underscores its capacity to boost bone mineral density.

How Does Ibutamoren MK 677 Actually Work?

At a glance, MK-677 sounds very impressive. But its description leaves researchers with the same question: how does all of this work?

MK-677 is designed to bond with the subject’s hormone ghrelin receptors. Once that happens, it increases the subject’s growth hormone production. After that, the body naturally increases its Insulin like growth factor one levels through this growth hormone releasing peptide.

What Are Scientists Studying?

MK 677 is being studied for its effects on muscle wasting disorders. The aim is to reverse muscle loss experienced by subjects in order to increase muscle mass along with muscle tissue, to thus reverse effects caused by this disorder. 

This is often augmented when the ghrelin receptor is initially trigger to stimulate growth hormone in a subject’s body. Some research and plenty of anecdotal evidence show that MK-677 may have this effect, but researchers are still exploring some of these claims (more on this later).

Why, though, would MK-677 lead to stronger bones? As with muscles, more growth hormones in the body can make bones both healthier and denser. For this reason, it is of particular interest in research for elderly subjects and bone density.

What Does the Research Say About Ibutamoren MK 677?

Earlier, we touched on the fact that research into MK-677 isn’t complete. But what does the existing research say about MK-677?

In a word, the research is mixed. One study on rats explored whether MK-677 could promote somatic growth due to enhancing growth hormone levels. The study found that even though MK-677 boosts growth hormone levels, it did not boost somatic growth in rats.

Another study explored whether MK-677 could help older people build muscle mass, decrease abdominal visceral fat, and safely increase GH secretion. This study found that MK-677 succeeded on all fronts, all while improving bone density over one year of treatment.

Recent Research on Quality Sleep And Future Potential for MK 677

In mammals, including humans, the secretion of human growth hormone (GH) occurs in a pulsatile manner. In young adults, a significant release of human growth hormone happens shortly after the onset of sleep, particularly during the first phase of slow-wave (SW) sleep. 

Numerous studies investigating changes in the sleep-wake cycle have consistently shown that sleep-wake homeostasis plays a crucial role in determining the timing of growth hormone release. This all plays a key role in sleep quality.

Extensive evidence supports the existence of a consistent relationship between SW sleep and increased GH secretion, with decreased GH release observed during periods of wakefulness all affect sleep and deep sleep.

Pharmacological stimulation of SW sleep leads to enhanced growth hormone release, suggesting that compounds capable of increasing SW sleep could serve as novel growth hormone secretagogues. As individuals age, both SW sleep and growth hormone secretion decrease, following a similar chronology. 

Future Study Potential on Sleep

This raises the possibility that the age-related decline in growth hormone secretion observed in older individuals may partially result from alterations in sleep-wake homeostasis. Studies consistently indicate that GHRH is involved in promoting non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and/or SW sleep through central mechanisms. 

The involvement of growth hormone in sleep regulation is less well-established but appears to primarily influence rapid eye movement, REM sleep rather than NREM sleep. It has been proposed that the stimulation of GH release and the promotion of NREM sleep by GHRH are two distinct processes mediated by GHRH neurons located in different areas of the hypothalamus. 

The control of GH release by somatostatin is weaker during sleep compared to wakefulness, suggesting that somatostatinergic tone is lower in the hypothalamic regions involved in sleep regulation and sleep-related GH release.

While the concept of dual control over daytime and sleep-related GH secretion still requires direct evidence, it offers a potential explanation for several experimental observations. In the future, Ibutamoren MK 677 can be utilized in studies to see how its effects on the body can impact sleep.

Age-Related Decline and MK 677

Introduction: 

With the projected increase in age-related disabilities, the development of sarcopenia becomes a critical concern associated with frailty, loss of independence, and physical disability in the elderly population. 

Growth hormone deficiency increases with age with a reduction in body fat or fat-free mass. To address this, the GH secretagogue MK-677, an orally active ghrelin mimetic, aims to increase pulsatile GH secretion in the elderly. 

The scientific evidence surrounding the effects of ibutamoren MK-677 on GH and IGF-I levels, fat-free mass preservation, and abdominal visceral fat reduction in healthy elderly individuals was explored. Muscle and fat tissue correlation was not observed in this analysis.

Methods and Results: 

A systematic review of 18 articles focusing on MK-677, GH secretagogue, sarcopenia, insulin-like growth factor-1, safety, and efficacy was conducted. After the exclusion process, five relevant articles were analyzed. 

Clinical studies demonstrated that MK-677 counteracted the key factors contributing to sarcopenia (or increased muscle mass), including reduced GH secretion, loss of fat-free mass, and inadequate food intake. Recent research indicated that MK-677 promotes pulsatile GH release without causing supra-therapeutic levels or associated complications.

Although generally well-tolerated, decreased insulin sensitivity was observed as a potential bias, and caution is advised for individuals with congestive heart failure. The effects on high blood pressure were not assessed.

Conclusion:

While nutritional overfeeding or increased appetite and resistance training remain established methods for treating sarcopenia and increasing muscle strength, supplementation with ibutamoren MK-677 has shown promising results in reducing the important factors contributing to its development. Future randomized clinical trials are needed to establish consensus on this approach. 

Research on Obesity and Ibutamoren MK 677

In a recent study the effects on growth hormone secretion in healthy obese male subjects were investigated. The study consisted of 24 obese males who were randomized and received either MK-677 or a placebo daily for 8 weeks , The effects of oral treatment were observed. 

The results showed that MK-677 led to a significant increase in serum insulin-like growth factor I and IGF-binding protein-3 levels. Growth hormone levels also significantly increased with sustained increases observed at 2 and 8 weeks. 

Fat-free mass significantly increased, while total and visceral fat remained unchanged. Basal metabolic rate was temporarily increased at 2 weeks but not at 8 weeks. Glucose homeostasis showed impairment during the oral glucose tolerance test and insulin resistance was not noted.

The 2-month test with MK-677 in healthy obese males resulted in sustained increases in human growth hormone, IGF-I, and IGF-binding protein-3 levels. Changes in body makeup indicated an anabolic effect, with an increase in fat-free mass and a temporary increase in basal metabolic rate. 

Further research is needed to explore the potential of longer testing periods in promoting body fat reduction. This testing can further include the effects of incorporating physical exercise as well as testing the ability to assist in weight loss.

Potential Research Gaps Regarding Ibutamoren MK 677

The two studies above are the most prominent studies regarding ibutamoren MK-677. And based on these studies, some major research gaps will need to be bridged.

For example, one study is on rats and the other is on elderly subjects. The study on rats is disappointing for proponents of ibutamoren MK-677, but, notably, had very positive effects.

However, the study on older subjects occurred way back in 2008. To discover the full benefits and overall effectiveness of ibutamoren MK-677, we need more recent studies as well as studies on additional demographics.

Of course, these research gaps present certain opportunities. For the right researcher, ibutamoren MK-677 may provide plenty of future research opportunities.

Potential For Future Research with Ibutamoren MK 677

And that brings us to the current state of ibutamoren MK-677 research. The current research into the different benefits and side effects of ibutamoren MK-677 is both limited and mixed. And while there is ample anecdotal data from various articles, there is a need for more controlled and regulated studies such as ones related to REM sleep.

The relative lack of studies (particularly longer-term studies) is one of the reasons why there are questions about the safety of ibutamoren MK-677. More studies need to be conducted on how Ibutamoren MK 677 affects on bone mineral density and if MK 677 makes you taller.

If you’re a researcher, you could spearhead the next breakthrough of ibutamoren MK-677 by adding it to your research. Ibutamoren MK-677 research has increased in the last decade, yet there are still many valuable applications of this SARM for science to discover. Research this novel growth hormone secretagogue today.

Part of this scientific discovery involves getting everything you need for your research. And getting the materials you need is easier than you might think.