title: Cytoprotective effects of β-melanocortin in the rat gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Recently discovered anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of melanocortin peptides led to the conclusion that they might serve as new anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The purpose of this work was to examine the effectiveness of β-melanocortin (β-MSH) in two experimental models: ethanol-induced gastric lesions and TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid)-induced colitis in male Wistar rats. Three progressive doses of β-MSH were used: 0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/kg. Our results suggest that β-MSH acts as a protective substance in the gastric lesions model, which can be seen as a statistically significant reduction of hemorrhagic lesions at all three doses, compared to the control group. The most efficient dose was 0.250 mg/kg. Statistically significant reduction in mucosal surface affected by necrosis and the reduction of overall degree of inflammation in the colitis model indicates an anti-inflammatory effect of β-MSH at a dose of 0.250 mg/kg. The results justify further research on β-MSH peptide and its derivates in the inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, and point out the possibility of using β-MSH in studies of digestive system pharmacology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradamante
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turčić
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stambuk
authors.forename: Paško
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Konjevoda
authors.forename: Gorana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aralica
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alerić
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kozmar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005756:Gastritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009336:Necrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D053486:Melanocortins; D020011:Protective Agents