title: Effects of alpha-melanocortin enantiomers on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in CBA mice.
abstract: Proteins and peptides in mammals are based exclusively on L-amino acids. Recent investigations show that D-amino acids exhibit physiological effects in vivo, despite of their very small quantities. We have investigated the hepatoprotective effects of the Land D-enantiomers of alpha-melanocortin peptide (alpha-MSH). The results showed that peptide-enantiomerism is related to the protective effects of melanocortin peptides in vivo. L-alpha-MSH exhibited potent hepatoprotective effect in the experimental model of acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in male CBA mice, while its D-mirror image was inefficient. Furthermore, the antibody to the L-peptide did not recognize the D-structure. The results indicate that the opposite peptide configuration may be used to modulate its function and metabolism in vivo and in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Domagojeva 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. pturcic@pharma.hr
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turcić
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradamante
authors.forename: Karlo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Houra
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stambuk
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kelava
authors.forename: Pasko
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Konjevoda
authors.forename: Sasa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kazazić
authors.forename: Drazen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vikić-Topić
authors.forename: Biserka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pokrić
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D053486:Melanocortins; D000082:Acetaminophen