Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone through melanocortin-4 receptor inhibits nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase expression in the hypothalamus of male rats. 2004

Carla Caruso, and Claudia Mohn, and Armando L Karara, and Valeria Rettori, and Hajime Watanobe, and Helgi B Schiöth, and Adriana Seilicovich, and Mercedes Lasaga
Centro de Investigaciones en Reproducción, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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 and COX-1 expression in MBH. The increase in serum corticosterone levels induced by LPS was attenuated by alpha-MSH. Both LPS and alpha-MSH decreased serum LH and prolactin levels. HS024 failed to modify the inhibitory effects of LPS and alpha-MSH on prolactin release but reverted the effect of LPS on LH secretion, indicating that MC4-R activation may be involved in the effects of alpha-MSH on LH secretion in male rats. When we examined the in vitro effect of LPS (10 microg/ml) and LPS plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, 100 ng/ml) on iNOS expression in MBH, an increase in iNOS mRNA levels was observed only in the presence of LPS + IFN-gamma. This stimulatory effect was attenuated in the presence of alpha-MSH (5 microM), which by itself had no effect. No changes were found in nNOS, eNOS, COX-1 or COX-2 expression. These results indicate that alpha-MSH reduces the induction of iNOS and COX-2 gene expression at the hypothalamic level during endotoxemia and suggest that endogenous alpha-MSH may exert an inhibitory tone on iNOS and COX-2 transcription via MC4 receptors acting as a local anti-inflammatory agent within the hypothalamus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007031 Hypothalamus Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE. Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D007986 Luteinizing Hormone A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity. ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D008070 Lipopolysaccharides Lipid-containing polysaccharides which are endotoxins and important group-specific antigens. They are often derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and induce immunoglobulin secretion. The lipopolysaccharide molecule consists of three parts: LIPID A, core polysaccharide, and O-specific chains (O ANTIGENS). When derived from Escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharides serve as polyclonal B-cell mitogens commonly used in laboratory immunology. (From Dorland, 28th ed) Lipopolysaccharide,Lipoglycans
D008297 Male Males
D010456 Peptides, Cyclic Peptides whose amino acid residues are linked together forming a circular chain. Some of them are ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS; some are biosynthesized non-ribosomally (PEPTIDE BIOSYNTHESIS, NON-RIBOSOMAL). Circular Peptide,Cyclic Peptide,Cyclic Peptides,Cyclopeptide,Orbitide,Circular Peptides,Cyclopeptides,Orbitides,Peptide, Circular,Peptide, Cyclic,Peptides, Circular
D011388 Prolactin A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate. Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D011451 Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases Enzyme complexes that catalyze the formation of PROSTAGLANDINS from the appropriate unsaturated FATTY ACIDS, molecular OXYGEN, and a reduced acceptor. Fatty Acid Cyclo-Oxygenase,PGH Synthase,Prostaglandin H Synthase,Prostaglandin Synthase,Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase,Arachidonic Acid Cyclooxygenase,Cyclo-Oxygenase,Cyclooxygenase,Cyclooxygenases,Hydroperoxide Cyclase,PGH2 Synthetase,Prostaglandin Cyclo-Oxygenase,Prostaglandin Cyclooxygenase,Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthetase,Prostaglandin G-H Synthase,Prostaglandin H2 Synthetase,Prostaglandin Synthetase,Cyclase, Hydroperoxide,Cyclo Oxygenase,Cyclo-Oxygenase, Fatty Acid,Cyclo-Oxygenase, Prostaglandin,Cyclooxygenase, Arachidonic Acid,Cyclooxygenase, Prostaglandin,Endoperoxide Synthetase, Prostaglandin,Fatty Acid Cyclo Oxygenase,G-H Synthase, Prostaglandin,Prostaglandin Cyclo Oxygenase,Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthases,Prostaglandin G H Synthase,Synthase, PGH,Synthase, Prostaglandin,Synthase, Prostaglandin G-H,Synthase, Prostaglandin H,Synthase, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide,Synthases, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide,Synthetase, PGH2,Synthetase, Prostaglandin,Synthetase, Prostaglandin Endoperoxide,Synthetase, Prostaglandin H2
D003345 Corticosterone An adrenocortical steroid that has modest but significant activities as a mineralocorticoid and a glucocorticoid. (From Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed, p1437)
D000521 alpha-MSH A 13-amino acid peptide derived from proteolytic cleavage of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE, the N-terminal segment of ACTH. ACTH (1-13) is amidated at the C-terminal to form ACTH (1-13)NH2 which in turn is acetylated to form alpha-MSH in the secretory granules. Alpha-MSH stimulates the synthesis and distribution of MELANIN in MELANOCYTES in mammals and MELANOPHORES in lower vertebrates. MSH, alpha,alpha Intermedin,alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone,(Des-Acetyl)-alpha-MSH,(Desacetyl)alpha-MSH,ACTH (1-13),ACTH (1-13)NH2,ACTH(1-13),Acetylated ACTH (1-13)NH2,Adrenocorticotropin (1-13)NH2,DE-alpha-MSH,Des-Acetyl MSH,Desacetyl alpha-MSH,Desacetyl alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone,MSH, (Desacetyl)alpha-,alpha-Melanotropin,Desacetyl alpha MSH,Desacetyl alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone,Hormone, Desacetyl alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating,Hormone, alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating,Intermedin, alpha,MSH, Des-Acetyl,alpha MSH,alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone,alpha Melanotropin,alpha-MSH, Desacetyl,alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, Desacetyl
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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