Naslov
The influence of alpha-melanocortin enantiomers on acetaminophen-induced hepatis in mice

Autori
Turčić, Petra ; Houra, Karlo ; Bradamante, Mirna ; Konjevoda, Paško ; Kelava, Tomislav ; Štambuk, Nikola

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology 13 (Suppl 1) / Holzer, Peter ; Griesbacher, Thomas - , 2012

Skup
18th Scientific Symposium of APHAR

Mjesto i datum
Graz, Austrija, 20.09.2012. - 21.09.2012

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
alpha-melanocortin ; enantiomers ; hepatoprotection

Sažetak
Background: L-alpha-Melanocortin is a strong inhibitor of inflammation.It is a promising new anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective peptide. Consequently, its melanocortin receptors (MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5) could be possible targets for the development of new antiinflammatory drugs for chronic inflammatory liver disease. For a long ime it has been believed that only the L-enantiomers of amino acids are present in higher animals, but recent investigations show that D-amino acids also exhibit physiological effects in vivo, despite their very small quantities. The aim of this study was to compare hepatoprotective effects of L-alphamelanocortin and D-alpha-melanocortin using the acetaminophen model of chemical liver damage in male CBA mice. Methods: Tested substances were applied intraperitoneally 60 minutes prior to the intragastric application of acetaminophen (150 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the administration of acetaminophen. The criteria for monitoring hepatoprotective effects of the tested substances were biochemical parameters (AST and ALT) and histopathological analysis. Results: The results obtained by the histopathological analysis and biochemical findings show potent hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of L-alpha-melanocortin in the liver, and suggest the possibility of modulating liver inflammation by means of melanocortin molecules and related receptors. D-alpha-melanocortin did not show any hepatoprotective effects in vivo. Conclusions: Our results show that peptide enantiomerism influences the protective effects of alpha-melanocortin peptides in vivo. This concept may be used to modulate peptide function in vivo and antibody binding assay in vitro. Acknowledgements: The support of the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports is gratefully acknowledged (grant no. 098-0982929-2524).

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Farmacija

POVEZANOST RADA