Developments and new vistas in the field of melanocortins.

摘要: Melanocortins play a fundamental role in several basic functions of the organism (sexual activity, feeding, inflammation and immune responses, pain sensitivity, response to stressful situations, motivation, attention, learning, memory). Moreover, large body animal data, some which were also confirmed humans, unequivocally show that melanocortins have impressive therapeutic effects pathological conditions are leading cause mortality disability worldwide (hemorrhagic, or anyway hypovolemic, shock; septic respiratory arrest; cardiac ischemia- ischemia/reperfusion-induced damage brain, heart, intestine, other organs; traumatic injury spinal cord, peripheral nerves; neuropathic pain; toxic neuropathies; gouty arthritis; etc.). Recent data obtained models seem moreover confirm previous hypotheses preliminary concerning neurotrophic activity neurodegenerative diseases, particular Alzheimer's disease. Our aim was (i) critically reconsider established extrahormonal (on sexual inflammation, tissue hypoperfusion, central nervous system) at light recent findings, (ii) review most advancements, particularly on (iii) discuss reasons support introduction into clinical practice as life-saving agents shock suggest verify setting results steadily with different ischemia ischemia/reperfusion, finally, (iv) mention advisable developments, terms selectivity action effects.