2003/06/01 by P. B. MOLINOFF, Perry B. Molinoff, A. M. SHADIACK +7
Medicine · Neuroscience · #Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones #Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology #Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb03167.x
openalex publication_date 2003/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
PT-141, a synthetic peptide analogue of alpha-MSH, is an agonist at melanocortin receptors including the MC3R and MC4R, which are expressed primarily in the central nervous system. Administration of PT-141 to rats and nonhuman primates results in penile erections. Systemic administration of PT-141 to rats activates neurons in the hypothalamus as shown by an increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity. Neurons in the same region of the central nervous system take up pseudorabies virus injected into the corpus cavernosum of the rat penis. Administration of PT-141 to normal men and to patients with erectile dysfunction resulted in a rapid dose-dependent increase in erectile activity. The results suggest that PT-141 holds promise as a new treatment for sexual dysfunction.