       Document 0729
 DOCN  M9630729
 TI    The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone: a key component
       of neuroimmunomodulation.
 DT    9603
 AU    Catania A; Lipton JM; First Medical Clinic, University of Milan, Italy.
 SO    Neuroimmunomodulation. 1994 Mar-Apr;1(2):93-9. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/96053018
 AB    Recent research indicates that the proopiomelanocortin derivative
       alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a significant
       modulator of host reactions including fever and inflammation. Although
       the precise mechanism of action is still unknown, cytokine antagonism is
       believed to be responsible for at least a part of its
       anti-inflammatory/antipyretic influence: alpha-MSH antagonizes pyrogenic
       and proinflammatory effects of cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1),
       interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon gamma
       (IFN gamma). Although it is clear that the peptide can act within the
       brain to inhibit fever and peripheral inflammation, an anti-inflammatory
       effect on a peripheral target was evidenced in animals with transection
       of the spinal cord. Recent data show that alpha-MSH is significant also
       in human disorders such as AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, and myocardial
       infarction. This molecule is believed to be a key factor in
       neuroimmunomodulation and it may be useful as a therapeutic agent in
       control of inflammatory reactions.
 DE    alpha-MSH/*PHYSIOLOGY/THERAPEUTIC USE  Acquired Immunodeficiency
       Syndrome/BLOOD/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Amino Acid Sequence  Animal
       Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/THERAPEUTIC USE
       Arthritis/BLOOD/DRUG THERAPY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Female  Fever/DRUG
       THERAPY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Human  Inflammation/DRUG
       THERAPY/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Mice  Mice, Inbred BALB C  Molecular Sequence
       Data  Myocardial Infarction/BLOOD/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY
       Neuroimmunomodulation/*PHYSIOLOGY  Pulmonary Edema/DRUG
       THERAPY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Rabbits  Rats  Shock, Septic/BLOOD/DRUG
       THERAPY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't,
       P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

