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Stimulation of aldosterone production by β-melanotropin

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Abstract

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that a non-ACTH pituitary factor(s) is important in the regulation of aldosterone secretion in certain conditions1,2. Earlier studies have suggested that β-melanotropin (β-MSH) has only weak steroidogenic potency on the adrenal gland in the rat3,4, but recently Challis et al.5 and Rudman et al.6 have reported that α- and β-MSH have a trophic action on fetal adrenal gland. However, little is known about the effect of β-MSH on aldosterone production. We recently reported that β-lipotropin (β-LPH) stimulates aldosterone production in rat capsular cells7. As the amino acid sequence of β-MSH is contained within the β-LPH structure8,9, we have now investigated the aldosterone-stimulating activity of synthetic β-MSH. Our results indicate that β-MSH causes a dose-dependent increase in aldosterone production in rat capsular cells which is blocked by a synthetic β-MSH analogue. The synthetic hormone does not increase corticosterone production in decapsular cells.

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Author notes

  1. Hiroaki Matsuoka

    Present address: The 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, 43699, USA

    Hiroaki Matsuoka, Patrick J. Mulrow & Roberto Franco-Saenz

  2. Hormone Research Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA

    Choh Hao Li

Authors
  1. Hiroaki Matsuoka
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  2. Patrick J. Mulrow
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  3. Roberto Franco-Saenz
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  4. Choh Hao Li
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Matsuoka, H., Mulrow, P., Franco-Saenz, R. et al. Stimulation of aldosterone production by β-melanotropin. Nature 291, 155–156 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/291155a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/291155a0

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