Role of the kidney in regulating plasma immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Issue 6014 (10th April 1976)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, A G; Shuster, S; Thody, A J; Alvarez-Ude, F; Kerr, D N
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 1:Issue 6014(1976)
• Page Start: 874
• Page End: 876
• Publication Date: 1976-04-10
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.6014.874
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : An analysis of the factors that influence the increase in plasma immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (beta-MSH) concentration in chronic renal failure showed that: (a) the increase correlated with the increase in serum creatinine concentrations; (b) beta-MSH was not cleared from the plasma by haemodialysis; (c) beta-MSH concentrations increased with length of time on dialysis and increased further after bilateral nephrectomy but there was no further increase with time; (d) beta-MSH levels decreased to normal after renal transplantation; and (e) beta-MSH was excreted in urine only when plasma levels rose to well above those of chronic renal failure (in Nelson's syndrome). These findings suggest that the kidney regulated plasma beta-MSH by a non-excretory mechanism and is the major site of beta-MSH metabolism.