EFFECT OF ALPHA MSH ON INFLAMMATION

长期透析治疗的部分患者出现厌食、消瘦、高血压、β 2微球蛋白积累、感染频发等症状。许多这些并发症被认为是由循环炎症细胞通过与透析器膜接触而激活引起的。被激活的细胞产生一种叫做促炎细胞因子的物质，这种物质被认为会增加肌肉组织的分解，并引起上述的全身症状。本研究将探讨α -黑色素细胞刺激激素对透析患者细胞因子产生的作用。在培养细胞和整个动物的实验室证据表明，α - msh可以抑制许多形式炎症的促炎细胞因子的产生。我们建议确定α - msh是否可以预防透析引起的炎症状态，从而减少短期和长期的副作用。

Some patients on long-time dialysis therapy suffer anorexia, wasting, hypertension, beta2 microglobulin accumulation, and frequent infections. Many of these complications are thought to be caused by activation of circulating inflamatory cells through contact with the dialyzer membrane. The activated cells produce substances called pro-inflammatory cytokines which are thought to increase breakdown of muscle tissue and cause systemic symptoms as listed above. This study will examine the action of alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone on cytokine production in dialysis patients. Laboratory evidence in cultured cells and whole animals indicate that alpha-MSH can inhibit production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in many forms of inflammation. We propose to determine if alpha-MSH can prevent the inflammatory state induced by dialysis and thereby, reduce short-term and long-term side effects.