Deficiency in Melanocortin 1 Receptor Signaling Predisposes to Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction and Increased Arterial Stiffness in Mice and Humans

Abstract

The present study demonstrates that deficiency in MC1-R signaling is associated with increased arterial stiffness and impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, suggesting a physiological role for MC1-R in the regulation of arterial tone.