Skip to content

Study · Animal study (in vivo) · sparus aurata · 2025

13 results

The Ghrelin Analog GHRP-6, Delivered Through Aquafeeds, Modulates the Endocrine and Immune Responses of Sparus aurata Following IFA Treatment.

Rodríguez-Viera L, Caderno A, Martinez R, Martinez-Rodríguez G, Oliva M, Perera E, Mancera JM, Martos-Sitcha JA

Biology25 Jul 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID40906090 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC12383794 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/biology14080941 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-40906090
Download PDFPubMedAsk about this study
Jump to 13 results

Summary

The aquaculture industry has experienced considerable growth in recent decades, stimulating research into sustainable and functional feed formulations, mainly related to using high-quality, safe, and environmentally friendly feed ingredients. The employment of immunomodulatory additives is a promising strategy to enhance fish health and performance. In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed. After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection. Our results indicated that fish fed GHRP-6 maintained stable plasma levels of lactate, triglycerides, and cortisol after IFA treatment, in contrast to control-fed fish, which showed significant metabolic stress. Circulating immunoglobulin levels enhanced significantly in the GHRP-6/IFA group, suggesting a stimulated humoral immune response. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the anterior intestine was the most responsive tissue, with upregulation of il10, il15, il34, and mx1, indicating mucosal immune activation. In the spleen, GHRP-6-fed fish increased il8, il10, and ighm expression, highlighting a balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response and support for adaptive immunity. Multivariate analysis confirmed that dietary GHRP-6 modulates immune gene expression in a tissue- and stimulus-specific manner, without inducing histological alterations in the intestine or spleen. Taken together, these preliminary results indicate that this peptide is a viable and safe dietary supplement to improve immune resilience and increase the production efficiency of S. aurata and suggest a protective effect on the fish's immune system in this species.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study13

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

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In IFA-treated fish, dietary GHRP‑6 maintained stable plasma lactate, unlike the metabolic stress in control-fed fish.

    In plain wordsIn fish, dietary GHRP‑6 maintained stable blood lactate after IFA treatment, unlike control-fed fish.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedPlasma lactate stability
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Comparator
    Control-fed fish after IFA treatment
    Outcome group
    Metabolic pathways and metabolomics · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Our results indicated that fish fed GHRP-6 maintained stable plasma levels of lactate, triglycerides, and cortisol after IFA treatment, in contrast to control-fed fish, which showed significant metabolic stress.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In IFA-treated fish, dietary GHRP‑6 maintained stable plasma triglycerides, unlike the metabolic stress in control-fed fish.

    In plain wordsIn fish, dietary GHRP‑6 maintained stable blood triglycerides after IFA treatment, unlike control-fed fish.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedPlasma triglyceride stability
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Comparator
    Control-fed fish after IFA treatment
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Our results indicated that fish fed GHRP-6 maintained stable plasma levels of lactate, triglycerides, and cortisol after IFA treatment, in contrast to control-fed fish, which showed significant metabolic stress.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In IFA-treated fish, dietary GHRP‑6 maintained stable plasma cortisol, unlike the metabolic stress in control-fed fish.

    In plain wordsIn fish, dietary GHRP‑6 maintained stable blood cortisol after IFA treatment, unlike control-fed fish.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedPlasma cortisol stability
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Comparator
    Control-fed fish after IFA treatment
    Outcome group
    Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Our results indicated that fish fed GHRP-6 maintained stable plasma levels of lactate, triglycerides, and cortisol after IFA treatment, in contrast to control-fed fish, which showed significant metabolic stress.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In IFA-treated fish, circulating immunoglobulin levels significantly increased in the dietary GHRP‑6 group.

    In plain wordsIn fish, blood immunoglobulin levels increased in the GHRP‑6/IFA group.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseCirculating immunoglobulin levels
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Circulating immunoglobulin levels enhanced significantly in the GHRP-6/IFA group, suggesting a stimulated humoral immune response.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, anterior intestinal il10 expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, il10 gene expression increased in the anterior intestine.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseAnterior intestinal il10 expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the anterior intestine was the most responsive tissue, with upregulation of il10, il15, il34, and mx1, indicating mucosal immune activation.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, anterior intestinal il15 expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, il15 gene expression increased in the anterior intestine.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseAnterior intestinal il15 expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the anterior intestine was the most responsive tissue, with upregulation of il10, il15, il34, and mx1, indicating mucosal immune activation.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  7. 07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, anterior intestinal il34 expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, il34 gene expression increased in the anterior intestine.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseAnterior intestinal il34 expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the anterior intestine was the most responsive tissue, with upregulation of il10, il15, il34, and mx1, indicating mucosal immune activation.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  8. 08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, anterior intestinal mx1 expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, mx1 gene expression increased in the anterior intestine.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseAnterior intestinal mx1 expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the anterior intestine was the most responsive tissue, with upregulation of il10, il15, il34, and mx1, indicating mucosal immune activation.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  9. 09AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, splenic il8 expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, il8 gene expression increased in the spleen.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseSplenic il8 expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In the spleen, GHRP-6-fed fish increased il8, il10, and ighm expression, highlighting a balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response and support for adaptive immunity.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  10. 10AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, splenic il10 expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, il10 gene expression increased in the spleen.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseSplenic il10 expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In the spleen, GHRP-6-fed fish increased il8, il10, and ighm expression, highlighting a balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response and support for adaptive immunity.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  11. 11AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, splenic ighm expression increased.

    In plain wordsIn fish receiving dietary GHRP‑6, ighm gene expression increased in the spleen.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    IncreaseSplenic ighm expression
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In the spleen, GHRP-6-fed fish increased il8, il10, and ighm expression, highlighting a balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response and support for adaptive immunity.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  12. 12AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Safety outcome

    In fish, dietary GHRP‑6 did not induce intestinal histological alterations.

    In plain wordsIn fish, dietary GHRP‑6 did not produce intestinal tissue alterations.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    No significant changeIntestinal histological alterations
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Comparator
    Control-fed fish after IFA treatment
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Multivariate analysis confirmed that dietary GHRP-6 modulates immune gene expression in a tissue- and stimulus-specific manner, without inducing histological alterations in the intestine or spleen.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.
  13. 13AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Safety outcome

    In fish, dietary GHRP‑6 did not induce splenic histological alterations.

    In plain wordsIn fish, dietary GHRP‑6 did not produce spleen tissue alterations.

    Peptide
    GHRP-6
    Outcome
    No significant changeSplenic histological alterations
    Study

    Sparus auratan: not reported in source

    IFA-treated fish
    Comparator
    Control-fed fish after IFA treatment
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    500 µg/kg of feed · dietary · 97 daysAs given in this study (Sparus aurata).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Multivariate analysis confirmed that dietary GHRP-6 modulates immune gene expression in a tissue- and stimulus-specific manner, without inducing histological alterations in the intestine or spleen.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    In this study, the effects of the ghrelin analog GHRP-6 peptide included in the diet (500 µg/kg of feed) on the endocrine and immune responses of Sparus aurata following Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) treatment were assessed.
    Summary · context
    After 97 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with 100 µL of saline solution or IFA/100 g fish and sampled 72 h post-injection.

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.

  1. Version 2Current

    21 Oct 2026, 15:58 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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