Cytoprotective Effects of β-Melanocortin in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract

Bradamante, Mirna; Turčić, Petra; Štambuk, Nikola; Konjevoda, Paško; Aralica, Gorana; Alerić, Ivan; Kozmar, Ana (2012) Cytoprotective Effects of β-Melanocortin in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract. Molecules, 17 (10). pp. 11680-11692. ISSN 1420-3049

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules171011680

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.

Item Type:

Article

Uncontrolled Keywords:

β-melanocortin; cytoprotection; gastritis; colitis; TNBS; hepatoprotection

Subjects:

NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology
BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Basic Medical Sciences
BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Pharmacy

Divisions:

Division of Molecular Medicine

Projects: