Study summary · research use only
The neuropeptide alpha-MSH in host defense
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and its fragment KPV as components of host defense in barrier organs such as gut and skin; species not specified beyond the cited human monocyte experiments. The authors report that alpha-MSH and KPV showed inhibitory activity against the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the yeast Candida albicans in antimicrobial testing. Based on anti-tumor necrosis factor and antimicrobial activity, the authors suggest alpha-MSH might reduce replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and report that alpha-MSH treatment reduced HIV replication in chronically and acutely infected human monocytes, an effect linked to inhibition of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, known to enhance HIV expression. The authors suggest combined antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions could be relevant where infection and inflammation coexist.
Abstract
The presence of the ancient peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) in barrier organs such as gut and skin suggests that this potent anti-inflammatory molecule may be a component of the innate host defense. In tests of antimicrobial activities, alpha-MSH and its fragment KPV showed inhibitory influences against the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the yeast Candida albicans. Anti-tumor necrosis factor and antimicrobial effects of alpha-MSH suggest that the peptide might likewise reduce replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Treatment with alpha-MSH reduced HIV replication in chronically and acutely infected human monocytes. At the molecular level, alpha-MSH inhibited activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B known to enhance HIV expression. alpha-MSH that combines antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects could be useful in the treatment of disorders in which infection and inflammation coexist.
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