| abstract |
Peptides having melanocyte stimulating hormone activity are provided. Also provided are vectors encoding these peptides, and transgenic (transgenic) cells containing the vectors on them. In addition, methods for inhibiting or preventing the release of inflammatory cytokines from mammalian cells are provided, as well as methods for treating a mammal suffering from or at risk for a condition mediated by the inflammatory cytokine cascade. Is provided. Further provided are methods for suppressing inflammatory cytokine levels in mammals, methods for treating overweight mammals, methods for reducing food intake in mammals, and methods for inhibiting innate immunity in the mammalian digestive system. ing. |