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Melanocortin-4 Receptors and Sympathetic Nervous System Activation in Hypertension

  • Secondary Hypertension: Nervous System Mechanisms (M Wyss, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To highlight the role of the brain melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) for sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation in hypertension.

Recent Findings

Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Although excess weight gain is associated with at least two thirds of primary hypertension cases, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain the subject of intense investigation. Multiple studies demonstrate an important role for increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in development and maintenance of hypertension, and that the brain MC4R modulates SNS activity to thermogenic, cardiovascular, and kidney tissues. These studies also support the concept that MC4R activation is critical for obesity-induced hypertension as well as other forms of hypertension associated with increased SNS activity.

Summary

MC4R is a potential target for antiobesity therapy, although there are challenges in using MC4R agonists to induce weight loss without evoking increases in SNS activity.

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Funding

The authors’ research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (P01 HL51971), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20 GM104357 and U54 GM115428), and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K99DK113280).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, and Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA

    Alexandre A. da Silva, Jussara M. do Carmo, Zhen Wang & John E. Hall

Authors
  1. Alexandre A. da Silva
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  2. Jussara M. do Carmo
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  3. Zhen Wang
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  4. John E. Hall
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Correspondence to Alexandre A. da Silva.

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All reported studies/experiments with human subjects or animals performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Secondary Hypertension: Nervous System Mechanisms

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da Silva, A.A., do Carmo, J.M., Wang, Z. et al. Melanocortin-4 Receptors and Sympathetic Nervous System Activation in Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 21, 46 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-019-0951-x

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