Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone through melanocortin-4 receptor inhibits nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase expression in the hypothalamus of male rats

Neuroendocrinology
Carla CarusoMercedes Lasaga

Abstract

There is evidence that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions within the brain. In this study, we tested whether these actions are due to inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Since melanocortin subtype MC4 receptor has been detected in the hypothalamus, we investigated the effect of central administration of alpha-MSH and HS024 (a selective MC4 receptor antagonist) on the gene expression of inducible, neuronal and endothelial NO synthase (iNOS, nNOS and eNOS) and on cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) of LPS-treated male Wistar rats. Peripheral administration of LPS (250 microg/rat, 3 h) induced iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in the MBH. This stimulatory effect was reduced by alpha-MSH (3 nmol/rat) injected 30 min before LPS. alpha-MSH and HS024 (1 nmol/rat) alone had no effect on iNOS and COX-2 expression. The action of alpha-MSH on LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels was not observed in the presence of HS024, suggesting that MC4-R may be involved in the modulatory effect of alpha-MSH. None of these treatments produced any modifications in nNOS, eNOS an...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 25, 2013·Journal of Molecular Endocrinology·Carla CarusoMercedes Lasaga
Oct 9, 2014·Mediators of Inflammation·Ana Isabel MartínAsunción López-Calderón
Jul 12, 2008·Neuropharmacology·Daniela DurandMercedes Lasaga
Jun 14, 2008·Trends in Neurosciences·Anna Catania
Mar 2, 2006·The Journal of Gene Medicine·Tsung-Hsing LeeCheng-Haung Wang
Oct 23, 2009·International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer·C Christian JohanssonRolf Kiessling
Oct 4, 2006·Neuroscience Letters·Andrea Beatriz CragnoliniTeresa Nieves Scimonelli
Jan 11, 2012·Experimental Neurology·Stefano GattiAnna Catania
Oct 18, 2014·Inflammation·Lisa Carole LoramSheila Sturgill-Koszycki
Oct 17, 2006·Journal of Leukocyte Biology·Anna Catania
Feb 4, 2019·Journal of Neuroendocrinology·Delia RamírezMercedes Lasaga
Feb 7, 2007·The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·Ming-Hong TaiChing-Jiunn Tseng
Dec 17, 2019·Current Pharmaceutical Design·Osvaldo Flores-BastíasEduardo Karahanian
Feb 14, 2019·Molecular Neurobiology·Erin SempleJennifer W Hill
Apr 21, 2017·Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·Juan A OrellanaRodrigo A Quintanilla

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