The brain melanocortin system, sympathetic control, and obesity hypertension.
Excess weight gain is the most significant, preventable cause of increased blood pressure (BP) in patients with primary (essential) hypertension and increases the risk for cardiovascular and renal diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of the brain melanocortin system in causing increased sympathetic activity in obesity and other forms of hypertension. In addition, we highlight potential mechanisms by which the brain melanocortin system modulates metabolic and cardiovascular functions.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, and Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
Alexandre A
AA
da Silva
Jussara M
JM
do Carmo
Zhen
Z
Wang
John E
JE
Hall
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D053486:Melanocortins