Neuromedin U-23 (NMU-23) is a neuropeptide involved in diverse biological processes, including smooth muscle contraction, energy homeostasis, and nociception.¹It is an agonist of neuromedin-U receptor 1 (NMUR1; EC₅₀= 0.17 nM for the human receptor in a calcium mobilization assay using HEK293 cells) and NMUR2 (EC₅₀= ~1.4-2 nM for arachidonic acid release in CHO cells expressing the human receptor).^2,3NMU-23 (1 ?M) induces contractions in isolated rat colon smooth muscle strips.⁴It decreases body weight and food intake and increases core body temperature in mice when administered at a dose of 36 ?g/animal.⁵Intrathecal administration of NMU-23 decreases the mechanical pain threshold in the von Frey test in rats.⁶

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