NEC protocol exposed rats that are orally treated with ganglioside D3 (GD3) had lower ileal protein levels of TNFα, IL6, C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and L-selectin, combined with higher protein levels of anti-inflammatory mediators TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), IL1ra and IL10 than animals that were not treated with GD3 [50]. Here, IL6R is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.