ACETYLCHOLINE-INDUCED AGGREGATION OF MELANIN GRANULES WITHIN EPIDERMAL (FROG) MELANOCYTES

[摘要] An in vitro study using skin of adut frogs has demonstrated that acetylcholine causes aggregation of melanin granules within epidermal melanocytes previously dispersed by melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). The epidermal melanocytes of some frogs are dendritic even in Ringer solution (in the absence of MSH); acetylcholine has no aggregating effect on these melanocytes. Extrapolation of these results to mammals suggests that localized depigmentation (as in vitiligo) in mammals may result from increased cholinergic activity in such integumental areas.