Changes in Locomotor Activity Observed During Acute Nicotine Withdrawal Can Be Attenuated by Ghrelin and GHRP-6 in Rats.

Ayman J, Buzás A, Dochnal R, Palotai M, Jászberényi M, Bagosi Z

Biomedicines9 Jan 2025

PMID39857727PMCIDPMC11761252DOI10.3390/biomedicines13010143PepBankPUB-39857727

Summary

Background/Objectives: Ghrelin and growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) are peptides which can stimulate GH release, acting through the same receptor. Ghrelin and its receptor have been involved in reward sensation and addiction induced by natural and artificial drugs, including nicotine. The present study aimed to investigate the impacts of ghrelin and GHRP-6 on the horizontal and vertical activity in rats exposed to chronic nicotine treatment followed by acute nicotine withdrawal. Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were exposed daily to intraperitoneal (ip) injection with 2 mg/kg nicotine or saline solution for 7 days, twice a day (at 8:00 and at 20:00). In parallel, the rats were exposed daily to an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection with 1 μg/2 μL ghrelin or 1 μg/2 μL GHRP-6 or saline solution for 7 days, once a day (at 8:00). On the morning of the eighth day (12 h after the last ip administration) and the ninth day (24 h after the last ip administration), the horizontal and vertical activity were monitored in a conducta system. Results: On the eighth day, in nicotine-treated rats a significant hyperactivity was observed, that was reduced significantly by ghrelin and GHRP-6. On the ninth day, in nicotine-treated rats a significant hypoactivity was assessed that was reversed significantly by ghrelin and GHRP-6. Conclusions: Based on the present results, the changes in horizontal and vertical activity observed after 12 and 24 h of nicotine withdrawal can be attenuated by ghrelin and GHRP-6.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In nicotine-treated rats, GHRP‑6 significantly reduced withdrawal-associated hyperactivity on the eighth day versus rats without GHRP‑6.
In plain wordsIn rats during nicotine withdrawal, GHRP‑6 reduced hyperactivity on the eighth day versus rats without GHRP‑6.
Peptide
GHRP-6
Outcome
DecreaseLocomotor hyperactivity on eighth day
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male and female Wistar rats during acute nicotine withdrawal
Comparator
Nicotine-treated rats without GHRP-6
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1 μg/2 μL daily · intracerebroventricular · 7 daysAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
On the eighth day, in nicotine-treated rats a significant hyperactivity was observed, that was reduced significantly by ghrelin and GHRP-6.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male and female Wistar rats were exposed daily to intraperitoneal (ip) injection with 2 mg/kg nicotine or saline solution for 7 days, twice a day (at 8:00 and at 20:00).
Summary · context
In parallel, the rats were exposed daily to an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection with 1 μg/2 μL ghrelin or 1 μg/2 μL GHRP-6 or saline solution for 7 days, once a day (at 8:00).
Summary · context
On the morning of the eighth day (12 h after the last ip administration) and the ninth day (24 h after the last ip administration), the horizontal and vertical activity were monitored in a conducta system.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3985772701
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In nicotine-treated rats, GHRP‑6 significantly reversed withdrawal-associated hypoactivity on the ninth day versus rats without GHRP‑6.
In plain wordsIn rats during nicotine withdrawal, GHRP‑6 reversed reduced activity on the ninth day versus rats without GHRP‑6.
Peptide
GHRP-6
Outcome
IncreaseLocomotor activity on ninth day
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male and female Wistar rats during acute nicotine withdrawal
Comparator
Nicotine-treated rats without GHRP-6
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1 μg/2 μL daily · intracerebroventricular · 7 daysAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
On the ninth day, in nicotine-treated rats a significant hypoactivity was assessed that was reversed significantly by ghrelin and GHRP-6.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male and female Wistar rats were exposed daily to intraperitoneal (ip) injection with 2 mg/kg nicotine or saline solution for 7 days, twice a day (at 8:00 and at 20:00).
Summary · context
In parallel, the rats were exposed daily to an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection with 1 μg/2 μL ghrelin or 1 μg/2 μL GHRP-6 or saline solution for 7 days, once a day (at 8:00).
Summary · context
On the morning of the eighth day (12 h after the last ip administration) and the ninth day (24 h after the last ip administration), the horizontal and vertical activity were monitored in a conducta system.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3985772702

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
21 Oct 2026, 15:58 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

Keywords

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.