Most GH-releasing peptides are degraded by digestive enzymes in the GI tract before they can be absorbed, requiring subcutaneous injection to bypass this limitation.
MK-677 is a non-peptide small molecule with a structure resistant to enzymatic degradation in the digestive system; it survives the GI environment and is absorbed into systemic circulation, where it binds to ghrelin receptors in the pituitary and hypothalamus to trigger GH release. This oral bioavailability is the defining pharmacological characteristic that distinguishes MK-677 from peptide-based GH secretagogues.