Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
(Redirected from Α-MSH)
Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a peptide hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of skin color in many vertebrates, including humans.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "melanocyte-stimulating hormone" refers to the hormone's ability to stimulate melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin, which gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. The prefix "alpha-" is used to distinguish α-MSH from other forms of melanocyte-stimulating hormone, such as beta- and gamma-MSH.
Function[edit | edit source]
α-MSH is produced in response to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It binds to melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) on the surface of melanocytes, stimulating them to produce and release melanin. This process, known as melanogenesis, results in a darkening of the skin, which helps to protect the body from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
In addition to its role in skin pigmentation, α-MSH has been found to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. It has been shown to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and to promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
