STAMBP and Behcet disease: In addition, the concentrations of α-MSH, a POMC-derived neuropeptide, within the hypothalamus (2.21 ± 0.11 ng/g vs. 1.98 ± 0.03 ng/g, P = 0.006) and peripheral blood at 8 weeks postsurgery (4.20 ± 0.35 ng/mL vs. 2.91 ± 0.32 ng/mL, P = 0.002) were also significantly increased in the BD group (Figure 3C).