The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

α-MSH is an endogenous neuropetide that is effective of all categories of expreimental inflammation. The mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory influence of α-MSH are reviewed in the article. α-MSH suppresses inflammation in the CNS and periphery by downregulating the activation of NF-κB, then inhibiting production of proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, chemokines and adhension molecules, and increasing synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines. α-MSH is useful in the treatment of many pathological situations in humans.