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.
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Bradamante, M.; Turčić, P.; Štambuk, N.; Konjevoda, P.; Aralica, G.; Alerić, I.; Kozmar, A. Cytoprotective Effects of β-Melanocortin in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract. Molecules 2012, 17, 11680-11692.
Bradamante M, Turčić P, Štambuk N, Konjevoda P, Aralica G, Alerić I, Kozmar A. Cytoprotective Effects of β-Melanocortin in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract. Molecules. 2012; 17(10):11680-11692.
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, no. 10: 11680-11692.