Stimulation of aldosterone production by β-melanotropin

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Abstract
Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that a non-ACTH pituitary factor(s) is important in the regulation of aldosterone secretion in certain conditions1,2. Earlier studies have suggested that β-melanotropin (β-MSH) has only weak steroidogenic potency on the adrenal gland in the rat3,4, but recently Challis et al.5 and Rudman et al.6 have reported that α- and β-MSH have a trophic action on fetal adrenal gland. However, little is known about the effect of β-MSH on aldosterone production. We recently reported that β-lipotropin (β-LPH) stimulates aldosterone production in rat capsular cells7. As the amino acid sequence of β-MSH is contained within the β-LPH structure8,9, we have now investigated the aldosterone-stimulating activity of synthetic β-MSH. Our results indicate that β-MSH causes a dose-dependent increase in aldosterone production in rat capsular cells which is blocked by a synthetic β-MSH analogue. The synthetic hormone does not increase corticosterone production in decapsular cells.