The lateral hypothalamus and the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) are brain regions important for food intake. The AcbSh contains high levels of receptor for melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), a lateral hypothalamic peptide critical for feeding and metabolism. MCH receptor (MCHR1) activation in the AcbSh increases food intake, while AcbSh MCHR1 blockade reduces feeding. Here biochemical and ce...

The antioxidative properties of a novel curcumin analogue (2E,6E)-2,6-bis(3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (MCH) were assessed by several in vitro models, including superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and PC12 cell protection from H2O2 damage. MCH displayed superior O2•- quenching abilities compared to curcumin and vitamin C. In v...

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), a neuropeptide expressed in central and peripheral nervous systems, plays an important role in the control of feeding behaviors and energy metabolism. An orphan G protein-coupled receptor (SLC-1/GPR24) has recently been identified as a receptor for MCH (MCHR1). We report here the identification and characterization of a G protein-coupled receptor as the MCH ...

36 Targeting the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system has been suggested as a 37 potential treatment for obesity, anxiety disorders as well as addiction. Despite the therapeutic 38 potential of MCH agonists and antagonists, the endogenous factors regulating MCH activity, in 39 particular those implicated in anxiety and reward, are ill-defined. The present study investigated 40 the cellula...

BACKGROUND The MCH clinic workers in Somalia receive formal and in-service training to perform their professional duties. Their competence in the field was never examined. This study assessed their competencies in detecting malnourished children 5 years and below in Beledweyne. OBJECTIVE To assess the competence of MCH clinic workers in detecting malnourished children. DESIGN Cross-sectiona...

Deficits in sensorimotor gating measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle have been known as characteristics of patients with schizophrenia and related neuropsychiatric disorders. PPI disruption is thought to rely on the activity of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and is inhibited by most antipsychotic drugs. These drugs however act also at the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pa...

Citation: Linehan V and Hirasawa M (2018) Electrophysiological Properties of Melanin-Concentrating Hormone and Orexin Neurons in Adolescent Rats. Front. Cell. Neurosci. 12:70. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00070 Orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons have complementary roles in various physiological functions including energy balance and the sleep/wake cycle. in vitro electrophysiolog...

OBJECTIVE Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV programs require follow-up of HIV-exposed infants (HEI) for infant feeding support, prophylactic medicines, and HIV diagnosis for at least 18 months. Retention in care and receipt of HIV services are challenging in resource-limited settings. This study compared infant follow-up results when HEI services were provided within Maternal an...

This Special Issue of IJERPH focuses on maternal and child health (MCH), with research that highlights the role of environmental influences on MCH across a range of settings.[...].