Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

This study by the Cuban group led by Berlanga investigated the cytoprotective potential of GHRP-6 in preventing multiple organ failure in an experimental ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model in rats. The protocol used GHRP-6 at a dose of 120 µg/kg as pretreatment before induction of hepatic and mesenteric I/R injury.

The results demonstrated that GHRP-6 pretreatment dramatically reduced tissue damage:

• 50-85% reduction in hepatic damage assessed by histopathology and serum enzymes (ALT, AST)
• Significant decrease in neutrophilic infiltration in hepatic and intestinal tissues
• Reduction of lipid peroxidation, measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)
• Preservation of intestinal mucosal integrity, preventing bacterial translocation

The proposed mechanism of action involved the activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways independent of GH secretion, suggesting that GHRP-6 possesses intrinsic cytoprotective properties mediated by the GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), which is expressed in multiple tissues including the liver, intestine, and cardiovascular system.

This work was particularly innovative in revealing a therapeutic role for GHRP-6 completely distinct from its classical function as a GH secretagogue, opening perspectives for the use of peptides of this class as cytoprotective agents in ischemia and shock contexts, clinical situations with high mortality and limited therapeutic options.