Cholecystokinin-8 vs Leu-enkephalin

Head-to-head comparison of Cholecystokinin-8 (Cholecystokinin (sulfated C-terminal octapeptide, CCK-8)) and Leu-enkephalin (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.

PropertyCholecystokinin-8Leu-enkephalin
CategoryEndocrine PeptidesPain Management
Full NameCholecystokinin (sulfated C-terminal octapeptide, CCK-8)Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu
Molecular Weight1143.2 Da555.63 Da
Half-Life1-2 min1-5 minutes in plasma
Amino AcidsDY(SO3H)MGWMDF-NH25
Typical Dosephysiologic low-picomolar-nanomolar range|research-dependent0.1-5 ug per animal
Routeendogenous secretion|research IV/SCIntrathecal / intracerebroventricular
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count971000
Research StatusEndogenousPre-clinical

Cholecystokinin-8 Benefits

  • gallbladder contraction
  • pancreatic enzyme release
  • satiety signaling

Leu-enkephalin Benefits

  • delta-opioid activity
  • endogenous analgesic model
  • receptor-selective pharmacology
  • nociception pathway research

Cholecystokinin-8 Dosing

physiologic secretion|research-dependent

Leu-enkephalin Dosing

Intrathecal 0.1-5 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.1-2 ug per animal|In vitro 1-100 nM

Cholecystokinin-8 Side Effects

  • abdominal cramping
  • nausea
  • biliary contraction

Leu-enkephalin Side Effects

  • sedation
  • constipation-like opioid effects
  • very short plasma stability

Research Overview

Cholecystokinin-8

CCK-8 is a canonical gut hormone fragment with extensive documentation in digestive physiology and appetite control. Sulfation of the tyrosine residue is important for high-affinity receptor activity.

Leu-enkephalin

Leu-enkephalin is a standard tool in opioid receptor and pain-transmission research because it helps distinguish delta- from mu-preferring signaling. Its research value is high, but its clinical utility is limited by rapid enzymatic breakdown and delivery challenges.

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Common Stacking Partners

Cholecystokinin-8 stacks with:

gallbladderpancreassatiety

Leu-enkephalin stacks with:

gabapentinketamine
gut-hormonesatiety-peptideendocrine-peptideopioid-peptideenkephalindelta-opioidanalgesia