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The anorexic effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is mediated by corticotrophin-releasing factor in chicks

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Timothy Boswell

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Abstract

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is recognized as an anorexic peptide in the brain of vertebrates, but its mechanism of action has not been identified in birds. Therefore, we investigated whether the anorexic effect of alpha-MSH is mediated by corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the domestic chick. Firstly, we found that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alpha-MSH dose dependently increased plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentration. This effect was partly attenuated by co-injection of astressin, a CRF receptor antagonist, demonstrating that alpha-MSH stimulated CORT secretion by activating CRF neurons. The alpha-MSH-elicited CORT release was not attenuated by the injection of agouti-related protein, an endogenous melanocortin-4 (MC4) receptor antagonist, suggesting that alpha-MSH stimulated CRF neurons through MC4 receptor-independent pathways. Finally, we found that the anorexic effect of alpha-MSH was partly attenuated by astressin. The present results suggest that the anorexic effect of alpha-MSH in the chick brain is mediated in part by activation of CRF neurons. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Tachibana T, Oikawa D, Takahashi H, Boswell T, Furuse M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Year: 2007

Volume: 147

Issue: 1

Pages: 173-178

ISSN (print): 1095-6433

ISSN (electronic): 1531-4332

Publisher: Elsevier Inc.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.12.044

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.12.044

PubMed id: 17321768

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