Molecular changes induced in rat liver by hemorrhage and effects of melanocortin treatment.

Melanocortin peptides improve hemodynamic parameters and prevent death during severe hemorrhagic shock. In the present research we determined influences of a synthetic melanocortin 1/4 receptor agonist on the molecular changes that occur in rat liver during hemorrhage. Melanocortin treatment significantly prevents most of the systemic and hepatic detrimental changes induced by hemorrhage.