Oxytocin and the human prostate in health and disease

Oxytocin in the Male Reproductive Tract; The Therapeutic Potential of Oxytocin-Agonists and-Antagonists

In this review, the role of oxytocin and oxytocin-like agents (acting via the oxytocin receptor and belonging to the oxytocin-family) in the male reproductive tract is considered. Previous research (dating back over 60 years) is revised and connected with recently found aspects of the role oxytocin plays in male reproductive health. The local expression of oxytocin and its receptor in the male reproductive tract of different species is summarized. Colocalization and possible crosstalk to other agents and receptors and their resulting effects are discussed. The role of the newly reported oxytocin focused signaling pathways in the male reproductive tract, other than mediating contractility, is critically examined. The structure and effect of the most promising oxytocin-agonists and -antagonists are reviewed for their potential in treating male disorders with origins in the male reproductive tract such as prostate diseases and ejaculatory disorders.

Changes in receptor location affect the ability of oxytocin to stimulate proliferative growth in prostate epithelial cells

In normal prostate cells, cell membrane receptors are located within signalling microdomains called caveolae. During cancer progression, caveolae are lost and sequestered receptors move out onto lipid rafts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a change in the localisation of receptors out of caveolae and onto the cell membrane increased cell proliferation invitro, and to determine whether this is related to changes in the cell signalling pathways. Normal human prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) and androgen-independent (PC3) cancer cells were cultured with 10nM dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The effects of oxytocin (OT) and gonadal steroids on proliferation were assessed using the MTS assay. Androgen receptor (AR) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) expression was identified by immunofluorescence and quantified by western blot. OTR and lipid raft staining was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Protein-protein interactions were detected and the cell signalling pathways identified. Treatment with OT did not affect the proliferation of PrEC. In PC3 cells, OT or androgen alone increased cell proliferation, but together had no effect. In normal cells, OTR localised to the membrane and AR localised to the nucleus, whereas in malignant cells both OTR and AR were identified in the cell membrane. Colocalisation of OTR and AR increased following treatment with androgens. Significantly fewer OTR/AR protein-protein interactions were seen in PrEC. With OT treatment, several cell signalling pathways were activated. Movement of OTR out of caveolae onto lipid rafts is accompanied by activation of alternative signal transduction pathways involved in stimulating increased cell proliferation.

Intranasal Oxytocin: Myths and Delusions

Despite widespread reports that intranasal application of oxytocin has a variety of behavioral effects, very little of the huge amounts applied intranasally appears to reach the cerebrospinal fluid. However, peripheral concentrations are increased to supraphysiologic levels, with likely effects on diverse targets including the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and reproductive tract. The wish to believe in the effectiveness of intranasal oxytocin appears to be widespread and needs to be guarded against with scepticism and rigor. Preregistering trials, declaring primary and secondary outcomes in advance, specifying the statistical methods to be applied, and making all data openly available should minimize problems of publication bias and questionable post hoc analyses. Effects of intranasal oxytocin also need proper dose-response studies, and such studies need to include control subjects for peripheral effects, by administering oxytocin peripherally and by blocking peripheral actions with antagonists. Reports in the literature of oxytocin measurements include many that have been made with discredited methodology. Claims that peripheral measurements of oxytocin reflect central release are questionable at best.

Oxytocin: recent developments

Oxytocin is a neurohypophyseal hormone that is produced centrally by neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It is released directly into higher brain centres and into the peripheral circulation where it produces a multitude of effects. Classically, oxytocin is known for inducing uterine contractions at parturition and milk ejection during suckling. Oxytocin also acts in a species and gender specific manner as an important neuromodulator. It can affect behaviours associated with stress and anxiety, as well social behaviours including sexual and relationship behaviours, and maternal care. Additionally, oxytocin has been shown to have a variety of physiological roles in peripheral tissues, many of which appear to be modulated largely by locally produced oxytocin, dispelling the notion that oxytocin is a purely neurohypophyseal hormone. Oxytocin levels are altered in several diseases and the use of oxytocin or its antagonists have been identified as a possible clinical intervention in the treatment of mood disorders and pain conditions, some cancers, benign prostatic disease and osteoporosis. Indeed, oxytocin has already been successful in clinical trials to treat autism and schizophrenia. This review will report briefly on the known functions of oxytocin, it will discuss in depth the data from recent clinical trials and highlight future targets for oxytocinergic modulation.

Changes in caveolae, caveolin, and polymerase 1 and transcript release factor (PTRF) expression in prostate cancer progression

BACKGROUND

Caveolae are specialized invaginations in the cell membrane involved in the regulation of cell transport and signal transduction. The aims of this study were to investigate the number of caveolae and expression of caveolae-associated proteins, caveolin-1 and -2, and polymerase 1 and transcript release factor (PTRF) with development of prostate cancer.

METHODS

Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the number of caveolae in normal human prostate stromal, epithelial cells, and androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC3) cancer cell lines. Surgical tissue was obtained from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), well-differentiated and poorly differentiated prostate cancer. Caveolin-1, caveolin-2, and PTRF expression was identified by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples and quantified by Western blot analysis in cell lines.

RESULTS

Caveolae were identified in normal epithelial and stromal prostate cells. The number of caveolae was significantly reduced in LNCaP and PC3 cells (P < 0.0001). PTRF was localized to stromal and epithelial cells in tissue from patients with BPH and in normal stromal and epithelial cells in vitro. PTRF expression was significantly decreased in LNCaP and PC3 cells and also in cancer tissue. In prostate tissue, caveolin-1 and -2 expression appeared to increase in prostate cancer. Caveolin-1 and -2 expression was decreased in LNCaP cells but caveolin-2 expression was significantly increased in PC3 cells compared to normal epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that changes in the cell membrane involving loss of caveolae and PTRF expression occur with the development of prostate cancer. These changes are accompanied by an up-regulation of caveolin-2.

Oxytocin immunoreactivity in the human urethral (Littrè's) glands

Oxytocin is a cyclic nonapeptide whose best known effects are stimulation of uterine smooth muscle cells during labor and of milk ejection during lactation. Circulating oxytocin originates from the hypothalamus, but its production has also been documented in peripheral tissues. Furthermore, seminal plasma also contains oxytocin, but its functional role is still unknown, although its secretion is generally ascribed to the prostate. In this study, we investigated the possibility that seminal oxytocin is also secreted by other exocrine glands of the human male genital tract. Intramural (Littrè's) glands isolated from bioptic specimens of normal urethrae were processed for immunogold localization of oxytocin. Immunostaining was detected in principal cells, with gold particles specifically found on secretory granules. Basal and endocrine cells were unstained. The present findings suggest that urethral glands not only produce the mucinous layer that protects and lubricates the urethral wall, but also are potential sources of other seminal components, such as oxytocin, which probably play still unclear roles in reproductive physiology.

The story of O--is oxytocin the mediator of the placebo response?

While the placebo responses in various medical conditions have been shown to follow a few basic principles such as expectancies, reward learning and Pavlovian conditioning, the underlying neurobiology and the mediating hormonal and/or neuromodulating processing have remained obscure. We here report the collected evidence that oxytocin (OXT), a 389-amino acid polypeptide located on chromosome 3p25 that is released in the brain (hypothalamus) and in peripheral tissue, is the central mediator of the placebo response: we hypothesize that exogenous OXT via an OXT agonist will enhance the placebo response, while exogenous OXT blockade by an antagonist will reduce the placebo response in placebo analgesia and other placebo models. It is furthermore proposed that the placebo response in trials may be predicted by circulating plasma OXT levels, the OXT receptor density in the brain and/or the presence of one or more of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the OXT promoter gene.