Yosten GL, Samson WK
Nesfatin-1 exerts cardiovascular actions in brain: possible interaction with the central melanocortin system. [JOURNAL ARTICLE]
Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2009 May 27.
Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered hypothalamic peptide that was shown to suppress food intake through a melanocortin 3/4 receptor-dependent mechanism. Since nesfatin-1 mRNA is detected in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and because many peptides that influence food intake also influence cardiovascular function, we tested the ability of centrally-administered nesfatin-1 to affect mean arterial pressure (MAP) in conscious, freely moving rats. Significant elevations in MAP were observed following intracerebroventricular administration of nesfatin-1. Pretreatment with both the melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist, SHU9119, or the alpha adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, abrogated the rise in mean arterial pressure induced by nesfatin-1, indicating that nesfatin-1 may interact with the central melanocortin system to increase sympathetic nerve activity, and lead to an increase in MAP. Thus we have identified a novel action of nesfatin-1, in addition to its anorexigenic effects, to stimulate autonomic nervous system activity. Key words: nesfatin, autonomics, hypothalamus, appetite.
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