The role of the melanocortin-3 receptor in cachexia.
Cachexia refers to a synergistic combination of a dramatic decrease in appetite and an increase in metabolism of fat and lean body mass. This combination is found in a number of chronic diseases and is an important determinant of mortality. In this paper, we provide evidence that in both acute and chronic disease models, blockade of the MC4-R results in a dramatic attenuation of cachexia. We have also demonstrated that blockade of the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3-R) leads to enhanced disease-associated cachexia. Ultimately, this work may lead to investigation of drug therapy for this widespread medical problem.
Marks
Daniel  L
D
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. marksd@ohsu.edu
Cone
Roger D
RD
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002100:Cachexia / Q000378:metabolism*; D004435:Eating; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism; D044104:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3; D044105:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D044104:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3; D044105:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin