title: Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone antagonizes the neuroendocrine effects of corticotropin-releasing factor and interleukin-1 alpha in the primate.
abstract: alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a peptide derived from POMC has previously been shown to antagonize the action of exogenously administered beta-endorphin (beta-EP) on pituitary PRL and LH release in the primate. In this study, we have tested the ability of alpha-MSH to block some of the acute pituitary effects of CRF and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), effects which are thought in part to result from the release of endogenous beta-EP. Experiments were performed in ovariectomized rhesus monkeys bearing a chronically implanted lateral ventricular cannula for peptide infusion. Peripheral blood samples for LH, cortisol, and PRL RIA were obtained at 15-min intervals during a 3-h control period when saline was infused into the ventricle, followed by a 5-h experimental period. CRF (15 micrograms/h) infused alone for 5 h caused a significant suppression of pulsatile LH release; by the fifth hour, LH secretion was reduced to 32.5 +/- 2.4% of the control saline infusion. The CRF-induced suppression of LH was prevented by coinfusion of alpha-MSH (60 micrograms/h); by the fifth hour LH was 89.0 +/- 3.6% of the control (P less than 0.05 vs. CRF alone). alpha-MSH also prevented the CRF-induced decrease in LH pulse frequency (P less than 0.05). IL-1 alpha (4.2 micrograms) was infused alone for 30 min or in combination with alpha-MSH (120 micrograms/h for 2 h). After IL-1 alpha alone, LH decreased to 30.1 +/- 2.4% of baseline at 5 h. This decrease was prevented by alpha-MSH; by 5 h LH was 101 +/- 5.1% of baseline (P less than 0.005 vs. IL-1 alpha alone). IL-1 alpha did not affect LH pulse frequency but pulse amplitude was reduced; this reduction was prevented by alpha-MSH (P less than 0.05). IL-1 alpha also stimulated PRL release. PRL rose from a mean baseline of 3.5 +/- 0.3 ng/ml to a peak of 13.8 +/- 2.7 ng/ml; after coinfusion of alpha-MSH the mean peak PRL response was only 4.4 +/- 1.5 ng/ml (P less than 0.001 vs. IL-1 alpha alone). After CRF infusion, cortisol increased to 136 +/- 7.9% of the mean morning baseline concentration. This increase was not prevented by alpha-MSH coinfusion; after CRF plus alpha-MSH, cortisol increased to 121 +/- 6.0% of baseline. In contrast, alpha-MSH prevented the IL-1 alpha-induced increase in cortisol: 167 +/- 15.5% vs. 91.7 +/- 8.3% (P less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shalts
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferin
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wardlaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D000521:alpha-MSH; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone