Investigation of Ghrelin Effects in Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous ghrelin pretreatment in an experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) model.Neonatal rats were randomized into four groups: NEC, GH-NEC, Control, and GH-Control. Experimental NEC was induced in the NEC groups using hypoxia, hypothermia, and hyperosmolar formula. Ghrelin was administered intraperitoneally to the GH-NEC and GH-Control groups. Throughout the experiment, pups were monitored using clinical scoring. On day 4, they were sacrificed, followed by macroscopic scoring, and tissue samples were collected for histopathological and biochemical analysis.The NEC groups had significantly higher mean clinical, macroscopic, and histological scores compared with the control groups (p < 0.05). The GH-NEC group exhibited both a higher mean clinical score and a higher mean macroscopic score than the NEC group (p < 0.05). The mean survival time was significantly lower in the GH-NEC group compared with the NEC group (p = 0.003). However, histopathological scores and apoptotic cell counts were similar between the GH-NEC and NEC groups (p > 0.05).In this experimental NEC model, ghrelin pretreatment worsened clinical outcomes, negatively affected the macroscopic appearance of intestinal segments, and was associated with a decreased survival rate up to the time of sacrifice. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of ghrelin in experimental NEC. · The effects of ghrelin in NEC remain largely unknown.. · Ghrelin pretreatment decreased survival in NEC model.. · Ghrelin pretreatment worsened clinical and macroscopic intestinal scores.