Glutamergic Action on Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Release from the Rat Hypothalamus |
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Authors: | Ekaterini Tiligada John Fawcett Wilson |
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Affiliation: | Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, UK. |
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Abstract: | Release of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) synthesized in the hypothalamus is regulated by monoaminergic neuronal systems. An endogenous dopaminergic system inhibits α-MSH release (1, 2) whilst serotoninergic systems exert a biphasic effect on peptide release (3). The toxic effects of neonatal peripheral administration of monosodium glutamate on hypothalamic neurons containing proopiomelanocortin- (POMC-) derived peptides (4, 5) suggest additionally the presence of glutamate receptors on or indirectly influencing the POMC neuron. By comparison of the effect of the excitatory amino-acid agonists N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quisqualate and kainate on the release of α-MSH from superfused slices of rat hypothalamus, we have demonstrated a stimulatory glutamergic action on α-MSH release mediated through NMDA-type receptors. |
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Keywords: | α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone hypothalamus rat glutamate receptors |
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