Sermorelin is a 29-residue N-terminal analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that retains the ability to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release.   Sermorelin (1 μg/kg, i.v.) increases serum GH levels in rats by approximately 17% compared with saline control after 15 minutes.  It also increases GH release in pigs when administered at a dose of 250 ng/kg.  Sermorelin (1 μM) increases proliferation of NCI-H727 human bronchial carcinoid cells by 30% and increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. It increases phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and expression of VEGF in A549 lung cancer cells when used at a concentration of 0.1 μM. Formulations containing sermorelin have been used to diagnose and treat growth hormone deficiency.