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Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Role of the brain melanocortins in blood pressure regulation
Jussara M do Carmo1, Alexandre A da Silva2, Zhen Wang1
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
Abstract:
Melanocortins play an important role in regulating blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity as well as energy balance, glucose and other metabolic functions in humans and experimental animals. In experimental models of hypertension with high SNS activity, blockade of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) reduces BP despite causing marked hyperphagia and obesity. Activation of the central nervous system (CNS) pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-MC4R pathway appears to be an important link between obesity, SNS activation and hypertension. Despite having severe obesity, subjects with MC4R deficiency exhibit reductions in BP, heart rate, and urinary catecholamine excretion, as well as attenuated SNS responses to cold stimuli compared to obese subjects with normal MC4R function. In this review we discuss the importance of the brain POMC-MC4R system in regulating SNS activity and BP in obesity and other forms of hypertension. We also highlight potential mechanisms and brain circuitry by which the melanocortin system regulates cardiovascular function.
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