Sympathetic Function in Human Carriers of Melanocortin-4 Receptor Gene Mutations

Abstract

The fact that obese subjects with MC4R mutations show an inverse relationship between obesity and MSNA suggests that central sympathetic outflow to the vasculature might depend on functional melanocortinergic pathways. Their dysfunction could explain reduced sympathoexcitability, lower sympathetic nerve-induced lipolysis, and the fact that blood pressure is rarely elevated in this type of obesity.