EN
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of [D-Lys3]-growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6), an antagonist of GHS-R1a, on the growth performance and properties of bone tissue in rats. The studies were performed on 12 male Wistar rats, divided into two equal groups. Control rats received 0.5 ml of physiological saline, while experimental rats received intragastrically 100 nmol/kg b.w. of [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 once a day, throughout 4 weeks. After that time, the animals were subjected to euthanasia. tBMC, tBMD, lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) contents were measured using DEXA methods. Plasma level of total ghrelin was also measured. The quality of the femur and tibia was estimated based on their weight, length, BMC, and BMD. [D- Lys3]-GHRP-6 decreased final body weight, LM content, and tBMD, and significantly reduced bone weight and BMC as compared to the control group. No significant differences were noted in bone length and BMD. Plasma level of total ghrelin was significantly higher after the treatment. We concluded that the intragastric treatment with [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 negatively influenced the growth performance and properties of bone in rats. Therefore, ghrelin probably achieves effect in bone by acting on its specific receptor GHS-R1a.