title: Animals models of MCH function and what they can tell us about its role in energy balance.
abstract: Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) has attracted considerable attention because of its effects on food intake and body weight and the MCH receptor (MCHR1) remains one of the viable targets for obesity therapy. This review summarizes the literature examining the effects of MCH on body weight, food intake and energy expenditure in rodent models, and the central sites where MCH acts in regulating energy homeostasis. Emphasis is given on the discrepancies between the genetic and pharmacologic models of MCHR1 inactivation. We propose some solutions to resolve these discrepancies and discuss some future directions in MCH research.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02446, United States. ppissios@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pissios
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008543:Melanins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D008543:Melanins; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; C092274:melanin-concentrating hormone receptor; C019463:melanin-concentrating hormone