Something new about the HPA axis

While I was doing some research I think I 'discovered' something that has not been mentioned on the forum. If someone wants to put it in a different thread, fine.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860380/

It seems I cannot insert a picture for whatever reason with 'IMG'. So I'll just refer to Figure 1 on that page.

This model introduces a few other neurotransmitters, as well as POMC, beta-LPH, beta-endorphin.

POMC. For me, not that easy to get the relevant information.

While a soure like https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proopiomelanocortin would usually provide information, it is mostly empty and for wiki we have to rely on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proopiomelanocortin I'll ignore it and use https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/proopiomelanocortin instead.

'Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a complex precursor protein that is proteolytically cleaved to a variety of biologically active and important neuroendocrine peptides.'

'POMC is highly synthesized in neurons of the arcuate nucleus' Possibly elsewhere in the brain as well, but I'll skip that.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcuate_nucleus The arcuate nucleus is part of the brain, specifically the hypothalamus.

It's not as simple as CRH releasing ACTH, POMC is involved. After some preliminary research, I'm not quite sure how ! In this post I'll leave it at that.

Another subject I've been looking at is 'allostatic load'.

For wiki, this one https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allostatic_load would usually be a better source. In this case, I'll refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allostatic_load

Something that affects me personally. I'm not sure this subject has received the attention it deserves.

Note: I find the wiki article confusing as hell. ´POMC is synthesized in the pituitary from the 285-amino-acid-long polypeptide precursor pre-pro-opiomelanocortin (pre-POMC)´ I have not been able to find a reference for that, and I´ll assume that POMC is synthesized in the brain.

And another note: I´ve seen not so scientific evidence that exposure to sunlight could increase POMC.

Here is a little bit : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2018708/

A little bit more.

Here is Perseverance´s thread about the HPA axis: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=44373.0 I haven´t reread the entire thing (!), but I get the impression something important is missing in her model.

What I had learned and as a gross oversimplification: CRH stimulates secretion of ACTH in the pituitary, which stimulates the release of glucocortids.

In reality, the model should be CRH>POMC>ACTH>glucocorticods, mineralcorticoids and more.

I´m not quite sure of the specifics of POMC, or if the HPA axis could function properly without involvement of POMC.

There are plenty of sources:

´ACTH is derived from cleavage of the precursor hormone pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) by prohormone convertase enzymes.´ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279116/

´ACTH is a segment of a much larger glycoprotein prohormone molecule called proopiomelanocortin (POMC). POMC is synthesized by the corticotrophs of the anterior pituitary, which constitute about 10 percent of the gland. The molecule is split into several biologically active polypeptides when the secretory granules are discharged from the corticotrophs. Among these polypeptides is ACTH, whose major action is to stimulate the growth and secretion of the cells of the adrenal cortex.´https://www.britannica.com/science/adrenocorticotropic-hormone#ref307798

It points to the involvement of sunlight. It would appear that sunlight can blunt the HPA axis, if that is the proper way to put it.

´Hair cortisol and cortisone are decreased by natural sunlight.´  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27392216

http://jme.endocrinology-journals.org/content/56/4/T135.full.pdf+html

I was never trained in scientific research, and it shows.

A lot of these neiropeptides are involved in mold illness.  I recommend researching Richie Shoemaker’s pioneering work in this area.  I’ve read several of his books, but most of his work is online.    The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the synthesis of these hormones and neuropeptides.  Some other areas of research ADH, MSH (as mentioned in the POMC link) , VIP, C4a, and TGF-β1, MMP-9 and the very important leptin.  Also leptin resistance (like insulin resistance).  Finally adaptive immune genetic testing via HLA-DR.

Certain types of mold are neurotoxic to the hypothalamus and other regions of the brain. 

It’s a huge area of study.  Very interesting

https://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis/lab-tests

The successive cleaving of POMC is very interesting.

I hope this helps.