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Quintana DS, Glaser BD, Kang H, Kildal ESM, Audunsdottir K, Sartorius AM, Barth C. The interplay of oxytocin and sex hormones. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105765. [PMID: 38885888 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin has historically been associated with reproduction and maternal behavior. However, more recent research has uncovered that oxytocin has a much wider range of roles in physiology and behavior. Despite the excitement surrounding potential therapeutical applications of intranasally administered oxytocin, the results of these intervention studies have been inconsistent. Various reasons for these mixed results have been proposed, which tend to focus on methodological issues, such as study design. While methodological issues are certainly important, emerging evidence suggests that the interaction between oxytocin and sex hormones may also account for these varied findings. To better understand the purpose and function of the interaction of oxytocin with sex hormones, with a focus on estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone, we conducted a comprehensive thematic review via four perspectives: evolutionary, developmental, mechanistic, and survival. Altogether, this synergistic approach highlights the critical function of sex hormone activity for accomplishing the diverse roles of oxytocin via the modulation of oxytocin release and oxytocin receptor activity, which is also likely to contribute to the heterogeneity of outcomes after oxytocin administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Quintana
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NevSom, Department of Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Bernt D Glaser
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heemin Kang
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Emilie S M Kildal
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry, Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Audunsdottir
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Claudia Barth
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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2
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Yamada A, Akahane D, Takeuchi S, Miyata K, Sato T, Gotoh A. Robot therapy aids mental health in patients with hematological malignancy during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a protective isolation unit. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4737. [PMID: 38413634 PMCID: PMC10899246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54286-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with hematological malignancy experience physical and psychological pain, such as a sense of isolation and confinement due to intensive chemotherapy in a protective isolation unit (PIU). We examined whether the intervention of a robotic puppy, aibo (manufactured by Sony), could improve patients' mental health as an alternative therapy for pet therapy, which is not feasible in PIU. This study included 21 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (n = 16) or autologous HSCT (n = 5). The patients were randomly divided into the aibo and control groups. Psychological effects were regularly assessed by measuring the levels of salivary stress hormone chromogranin A (CgA), serum oxytocin, and serum cortisol and the quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR) scores. The aibo group demonstrated a significant decrease in CgA level, while the control group showed the opposite trend. In addition, changes in serum oxytocin and cortisol levels indicated that aibo helped reduce stress. There was no significant difference in the QIDS-SR scores between the two groups; however, the psychomotor activity in the aibo group improved significantly. These findings suggest that aibo intervention during a stay in a PIU can improve the mental health of patients with hematological malignancies who have undergone HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yamada
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
| | - Daigo Akahane
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Shiho Takeuchi
- Center for Diversity, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Miyata
- Department of Nursing, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takako Sato
- Department of Nursing, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Gotoh
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
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Cumulative Lactation and Clinical Metabolic Outcomes at Mid-Life among Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030650. [PMID: 35277008 PMCID: PMC8839876 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactation is associated with a lower risk of subsequent cardiometabolic disease among parous women; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Further, the potential protective effects of lactation on cardiometabolic risk markers at mid-life among high-risk women with past gestational diabetes (GDM) are not established. Using data from the Diabetes & Women’s Health Study (2012−2014; n = 577), a longitudinal cohort of women with past GDM from the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996−2002), we assessed associations of cumulative lactation duration (none, <6 months, 6−12 months, ≥12−24 months, and ≥24 months) with clinical metabolic outcomes (including type 2 diabetes [T2D], prediabetes, and obesity) and cardiometabolic biomarkers (including biomarkers of glucose/insulin metabolism, fasting lipids, inflammation, and anthropometrics) 9−16 years after enrollment when women were at mid-life. At follow-up, women were 43.9 years old (SD 4.6) with a BMI of 28.7 kg/m2 (IQR 24.6, 33.0); 28.6% of participants had T2D, 39.7% had prediabetes, and 41.2% had obesity. Relative risks (95% CI) of T2D for 0−6, 6−12, 12−24, and ≥24 months of cumulative lactation duration compared to none were 0.94 (0.62,1.44), 0.88 (0.59,1.32), 0.73 (0.46,1.17), and 0.71 (0.40,1.27), respectively. Cumulative lactation duration was not significantly associated with any other clinical outcome or continuous biomarker. In this high-risk cohort of middle-aged women with past GDM, T2D, prediabetes, and obesity were common at follow-up, but not associated with history of cumulative lactation duration 9−16 years after the index pregnancy. Further studies in diverse populations among women at mid-age are needed to understand associations of breastfeeding with T2D.
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Johnson EA, Portillo A, Bennett NE, Gray PB. Exploring women's oxytocin responses to interactions with their pet cats. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12393. [PMID: 34824911 PMCID: PMC8592048 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Extensive research has evaluated the involvement of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in human social behaviors, including parent-infant relationships. Studies have investigated OT’s connection to human attachment to nonhuman animals, with the majority of the literature focusing on domestic dogs (Canis lupis familiaris). Utilizing what is known about OT and its role in maternal-infant and human-dog bonding, we apply these frameworks to the study of human-domestic cat (Felis catus) interactions. Methods We investigated changes in salivary OT levels in 30 U.S. women of reproductive age before and after two conditions: reading a book (control) and interacting with their pet cat. Participant and cat behavioral patterns during the cat interaction condition were also quantified to determine if differences in women’s OT concentrations were associated with specific human and cat behaviors. Results Our results revealed no changes in women’s OT levels during the cat interaction, relative to the control condition, and pre-cat interaction OT levels. However, differences in women’s OT concentrations were correlated with some human-cat interactions (e.g., positively with petting cat and cat approach initiation, negatively with cat agonistic behavior) but not all observed behaviors (e.g., use of gentle or baby voice) coded during human-cat interactions. Discussion This study is the first to explore women’s OT in response to interactions with their pet cat and has identified distinct human and cat behaviors that influence OT release in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Johnson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America
| | - Arianna Portillo
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America
| | - Nikki E Bennett
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America
| | - Peter B Gray
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America
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Lin CH, Tsai CC, Chen TH, Chang CP, Yang HH. Oxytocin maintains lung histological and functional integrity to confer protection in heat stroke. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18390. [PMID: 31804535 PMCID: PMC6895074 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54739-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) has been reported to have a protective effect in lipopolysaccharide-induced experimental acute lung injury (ALI). However, its role in heat stroke-related ALI has never been investigated. Herein, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of action of OT on heat-induced ALI. Rats were treated with OT 60 min before the start of heat stress (42 °C for 80 min). Twenty minutes after the termination of heat stress, the effects of OT on lung histopathological changes, edema, acute pleurisy and the bronchoalveolar fluid levels of inflammatory cytokines and indicators of ischemia, cellular damage, and oxidative damage were assessed. We also evaluated the influence of OT pretreatment on heat-induced hypotension, hyperthermia, ALI score, and death in a rat model of heat stroke. The results showed that OT significantly reduced heat-induced lung edema, neutrophil infiltration, hemorrhage score, myeloperoxidase activity, ischemia, and the levels of inflammatory and oxidative damage markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The survival assessment confirmed the pathophysiological and biochemical results. An OT receptor antagonist (L-368,899) was administered 10 min before the OT injection to further demonstrate the role of OT in heat-induced ALI. The results showed that OT could not protect against the aforementioned heat stroke responses in rats treated with L-368,899. Interestingly, OT treatment 80 min after the start of heat shock did not affect survival. In conclusion, our data indicate that OT pretreatment can reduce the ischemic, inflammatory and oxidative responses related to heat-induced ALI in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsien Lin
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chia Tsai
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, Mackay Memory Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hao Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ping Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Hsi-Hsing Yang
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Horta M, Kaylor K, Feifel D, Ebner NC. Chronic oxytocin administration as a tool for investigation and treatment: A cross-disciplinary systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 108:1-23. [PMID: 31647964 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) subserves various physiological, behavioral, and cognitive processes. This paired with the ability to administer OT with minimal and inconsistent side effects has spurred research to explore its therapeutic potential. Findings from single-dose studies indicate that OT administration may be beneficial, at least under certain circumstances. The state of the field, however, is less clear regarding effects from chronic OT administration, which more closely resembles long-term treatment. To address this gap, this review synthesizes existing findings on the use of chronic OT administration in animal and human work. In addition to detailing the effects of chronic OT administration across different functional domains, this review highlights factors that have contributed to mixed findings. Based on this review, a basic framework of interrelated regulatory functions sensitive to chronic OT administration is offered. The paper also identifies future research directions across different contexts, populations, and outcomes, specifically calling for more systematic and standardized research on chronic OT administration in humans to supplement and expand what is currently known from preclinical work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Horta
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Kathryn Kaylor
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David Feifel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Institute on Aging, Department of Aging & Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Snider B, Geiser A, Yu XP, Beebe EC, Willency JA, Qing K, Guo L, Lu J, Wang X, Yang Q, Efanov A, Adams AC, Coskun T, Emmerson PJ, Alsina-Fernandez J, Ai M. Long-Acting and Selective Oxytocin Peptide Analogs Show Antidiabetic and Antiobesity Effects in Male Mice. J Endocr Soc 2019; 3:1423-1444. [PMID: 31286109 PMCID: PMC6608564 DOI: 10.1210/js.2019-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) has been shown to suppress appetite, induce weight loss, and improve glycemic control and lipid metabolism in several species, including humans, monkeys, and rodents. However, OXT's short half-life in circulation and lack of receptor selectivity limit its application and efficacy. In this study, we report an OXT peptide analog (OXTGly) that is potent and selective for the OXT receptor (OXTR). OXT, but not OXTGly, activated vasopressin receptors in vitro and acutely increased blood pressure in vivo when administered IP. OXT suppressed food intake in mice, whereas OXTGly had a moderate effect on food intake when administered IP or intracerebroventricularly. Both OXT (IP) and OXTGly (IP) improved glycemic control in glucose tolerance tests. Additionally, both OXT (IP) and OXTGly (IP) stimulated insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1, and glucagon secretion in mice. We generated lipid-conjugated OXT (acylated-OXT) and OXTGly (acylated-OXTGly) and demonstrated that these molecules have significantly extended half-lives in vivo. Compared with OXT, 2-week treatment of diet-induced obese mice with acylated-OXT [subcutaneous(ly) (SC)] resulted in enhanced body weight reduction, an improved lipid profile, and gene expression changes consistent with increased lipolysis and decreased gluconeogenesis. Treatment with acylated-OXTGly (SC) also resulted in a statistically significant weight loss, albeit to a lesser degree compared with acylated-OXT treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrate that selective activation of the OXTR pathway results in both acute and chronic metabolic benefits, whereas potential activation of vasopressin receptors by nonselective OXT analogs causes physiological stress that contributes to additional weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandy Snider
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Andrea Geiser
- Biotechnology Peptide Group, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Xiao-peng Yu
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Emily Cathleen Beebe
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jill Amanda Willency
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Keyun Qing
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Lili Guo
- Biotechnology Peptide Group, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jianliang Lu
- Medicinal Chemistry, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Qian Yang
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Alexander Efanov
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Andrew Charles Adams
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Tamer Coskun
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Paul Joseph Emmerson
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jorge Alsina-Fernandez
- Biotechnology Peptide Group, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Minrong Ai
- Diabetes and Complications, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Turcsán B, Range F, Rónai Z, Koller D, Virányi Z. Context and Individual Characteristics Modulate the Association between Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Social Behavior in Border Collies. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2232. [PMID: 29312078 PMCID: PMC5742244 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the relationship between endogenous oxytocin and social affiliative behavior can be critically moderated by contextual and individual factors in humans. While oxytocin has been shown to influence human-directed affiliative behaviors in dogs, no study investigated yet how such factors moderate these effects. Our study aimed to investigate whether the context and the dogs’ individual characteristics moderate the associations between the social affiliative (greeting) behavior and four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. We recorded the greeting behavior in three contexts: (1) when the dog first met an unfamiliar experimenter, (2) during a separation from the owner, and (3) after the experimenter approached the dog in a threatening manner. In the latter two contexts (during separation and after threatening), we categorized the dogs into stressed and non-stressed groups based on their behavior in the preceding situations. In line with previous studies, we found that polymorphisms in the OXTR gene are related to the greeting behavior of dogs. However, we also showed that the analyzed SNPs were associated with greeting in different contexts and in different individuals, suggesting that the four SNPs might be related to different functions of the oxytocin system. The -213A/G was associated with greeting only when the dog had no prior negative experience with the experimenter. The rs8679682 was found in association with greeting in all three contexts but these associations were significant only in non-stressed dogs. The -94T/C was associated with greeting only when the dog was stressed and had an interaction with the sex of the dog. The -74C/G SNP was associated with greeting only when the dog was stressed during separation and also had a sex interaction. Taken together, our results suggest that, similarly to humans, the effects of oxytocin on the dogs’ social behavior are not universal, but constrained by features of situations and individuals. Understanding these constraints helps further clarify how oxytocin mediates social behavior which, in the long run, could improve the application of oxytocin in pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Turcsán
- Comparative Cognition and Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Friederike Range
- Comparative Cognition and Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Rónai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Koller
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Virányi
- Comparative Cognition and Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Bytautiene Prewit E, Kechichian T, Okunade D, Yin H, Stuebe AM. Effect of Normal Pregnancy Followed by Lactation on Long-Term Maternal Health in a Mouse Model. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:1186-1196. [PMID: 29017419 DOI: 10.1177/1933719117734316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although it has been widely accepted that pregnancies with complications are associated with increased maternal cardiovascular risk later in life, there is no consensus if noncomplicated pregnancy followed by lactation plays a protective role or is a risk factor. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of normal pregnancy and lactation on long-term maternal health in a mouse model. CD-1 mice were allocated to breeding (primigravid [PG]) and nonbreeding (nulligravid [NG]) groups. The PG group proceeded through normal pregnancy and delivery. Using a telemetry system, blood pressure (BP) was analyzed in the PG group at 6 months postpartum and in age-matched NG mice. Serum analytes, gene expressions, and protein levels were determined using appropriate analysis methods. Primigravid mice had significantly lower systolic and diastolic BP and fasting glucose levels. Circulating oxytocin (OXT) levels were significantly higher in PG mice. Oxt gene expression was significantly higher in the heart and aorta and lower in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from PG mice. The oxytocin receptor ( Oxtr) gene expression was significantly higher in the heart, aorta, and VAT from PG animals. The level of Oxtr DNA hypermethylation and the expression of mmu-miR-29a were significantly lower in the hearts of PG mice. In PG VAT, glucose transporter-4 expression was significantly higher. Our study demonstrates that a history of normal pregnancy followed by lactation was associated with lower maternal cardiovascular risk factors later in life in female mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egle Bytautiene Prewit
- 1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Talar Kechichian
- 1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Deborah Okunade
- 2 Summer Undergraduate Research Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Huaizhi Yin
- 1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alison M Stuebe
- 3 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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10
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A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14080864. [PMID: 28763021 PMCID: PMC5580568 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14080864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence that experiences of nature can benefit people has accumulated rapidly. Yet perhaps because of the domination of the visual sense in humans, most research has focused on the visual aspects of nature experiences. However, humans are multisensory, and it seems likely that many benefits are delivered through the non-visual senses and these are potentially avenues through which a physiological mechanism could occur. Here we review the evidence around these lesser studied sensory pathways—through sound, smell, taste, touch, and three non-sensory pathways. Natural sounds and smells underpin experiences of nature for many people, and this may well be rooted in evolutionary psychology. Tactile experiences of nature, particularly beyond animal petting, are understudied yet potentially fundamentally important. Tastes of nature, through growing and consuming natural foods, have been linked with a range of health and well-being benefits. Beyond the five senses, evidence is emerging for other non-visual pathways for nature experiences to be effective. These include ingestion or inhalation of phytoncides, negative air ions and microbes. We conclude that (i) these non-visual avenues are potentially important for delivering benefits from nature experiences; (ii) the evidence base is relatively weak and often based on correlational studies; and (iii) deeper exploration of these sensory and non-sensory avenues is needed.
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11
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Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has emerged as a potent modulator of diverse aspects of interpersonal relationships. OT appears to work in close interaction with several other neurotransmitter networks, including the dopaminergic reward circuit, and to be dependent on sex-specific hormonal influences. In this chapter, we focus on four main domains of OT and interpersonal relationships, including (1) the protective effect of OT on an individual's ability to withstand stress (i.e., stress buffering), (2) the effect of OT on emotion recognition and empathy, (3) OT's ability to enhance social synchrony and cooperation among individuals, and (4) the effect of OT on an individual's perception of social touch. We then illustrate the connection between OT and loneliness while grieving the loss of a loved one. We finish by discussing the clinical potential of OT, focusing on its potential role as an adjunct to psychotherapy, its enhancement through sex-specific hormonal influences, and the difficulties that present themselves when considering OT as a therapy. Overall, we argue that OT continues to hold strong therapeutic promise, but that it is strongly dependent on internal and external influences, for instance the patient's personal past experiences and interaction with the therapist, in order to provide the best possible therapy.
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12
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Samson WK. Oxytocin redux. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 311:R710-R713. [PMID: 27511282 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00307.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Willis K Samson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
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13
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Busch C, Tucha L, Talarovicova A, Fuermaier ABM, Lewis-Evans B, Tucha O. Animal-Assisted Interventions for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Theoretical Review and Consideration of Future Research Directions. Psychol Rep 2016; 118:292-331. [PMID: 29693527 DOI: 10.1177/0033294115626633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders and is characterized by core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Given the limitations of the existing treatment strategies, it seems necessary to consider the further exploration of alternative treatment approaches. In this review, the application and complementary use of animal-assisted interventions to the treatment of ADHD were discussed. Several mechanisms including calming, socializing, motivating, and cognitive effects of animal-assisted interventions were explored. Since studies directly investigating these effects on ADHD are scarce, so each of them were examined in terms of how it could benefit the treatment of ADHD. These effects can have a positive effect on several core symptoms of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Busch
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lara Tucha
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alzbeta Talarovicova
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anselm B M Fuermaier
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Lewis-Evans
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Tucha
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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Kent P, Awadia A, Zhao L, Ensan D, Silva D, Cayer C, James JS, Anisman H, Merali Z. Effects of intranasal and peripheral oxytocin or gastrin-releasing peptide administration on social interaction and corticosterone levels in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 64:123-30. [PMID: 26658172 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The intranasal route of drug administration has gained increased popularity as it is thought to allow large molecules, such as peptide hormones, more direct access to the brain, while limiting systemic exposure. Several studies have investigated the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration in humans as this peptide is associated with prosocial behavior. There are, however, few preclinical studies investigating the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration in rodents. Oxytocin modulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning and it has been suggested that oxytocin's ability to increase sociability may occur through a reduction in stress reactivity. Another peptide that appears to influence both social behavior and HPA axis activity is gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), but it is not known if these GRP-induced effects are related. With this in mind, in the present study, we assessed the effects of intranasal and intraperitoneal oxytocin and GRP administration on social interaction and release of corticosterone in rats. Intranasal and intraperitoneal administration of 20, but not 5 μg, of oxytocin significantly increased social interaction, whereas intranasal and peripheral administration of GRP (20 but not 5 μg) significantly decreased levels of social interaction. In addition, while intranasal oxytocin (20 μg) had no effect on blood corticosterone levels, a marked increase in blood corticosterone levels was observed following intraperitoneal oxytocin administration. With GRP, intranasal (20 μg) but not peripheral administration increased corticosterone levels. These findings provide further evidence that intranasal peptide delivery can induce behavioral alterations in rodents which is consistent with findings from human studies. In addition, the peptide-induced changes in social interaction were not linked to fluctuations in corticosterone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Kent
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Alisha Awadia
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Leah Zhao
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Donna Ensan
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Dinuka Silva
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Christian Cayer
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jonathan S James
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Hymie Anisman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Zul Merali
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Institute of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
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15
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Stuebe A. Associations Among Lactation, Maternal Carbohydrate Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Health. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2015; 58:827-39. [PMID: 26457850 PMCID: PMC4968698 DOI: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In mammalian reproductive physiology, lactation follows pregnancy; growing evidence suggests that disruption of this physiology affects a woman's lifetime risk of metabolic disease. These differences may reflect lactation-induced mobilization of fat stores and modulation of maternal stress reactivity. In addition, confounders may play a role: women who breastfeed for long durations are more likely to engage in other healthy behaviors, and obesity and insulin resistance may interfere with breastfeeding physiology. These findings underscore the importance of evidenced-based care to enable women to achieve their infant feeding goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Stuebe
- *Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine †Maternal and Child Health, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Zhang BZ, Zhang HY, Liu HH, Li HJ, Wang JS. Breastfeeding and maternal hypertension and diabetes: a population-based cross-sectional study. Breastfeed Med 2015; 10:163-7. [PMID: 25785993 PMCID: PMC4378660 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2014.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the association of breastfeeding and maternal hypertension and diabetes in Beijing, China. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in four urban communities of Beijing, China, with 9,128 parous women 40-81 years of age who had had only one lifetime birth. Each participant completed a detailed survey and accepted blood pressure measurement and blood glucose testing. Moreover, self-reported hypertension and diabetes were confirmed by review of medical records. RESULTS After the analysis was adjusted for the potential confounders, including age, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), working status, educational level, drinking, smoking, family history of hypertension, age of menarche, menopause, oral contraceptive use, age of child-bearing, and postpartum BMI, the odd ratio (OR) of hypertension was 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.32) for women who did not breastfeed, compared with women who did. In addition, the ORs for >0 to 6 months, >6 to 12 months, and >12 months of breastfeeding were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.76-0.99), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.68-1.00), and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.97), respectively, compared with women who did not breastfeed. With adjustment for age, WHR, working status, educational level, family history of diabetes, and postpartum BMI, women who did not breastfeed increased the risk of diabetes (OR=1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.53) compared with women who did. Moreover, women who breastfed for >0 to 6 months (OR=0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.98) and >6 to 12 months (OR=0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.84) had a lower risk of diabetes, compared with women who did not breastfeed. CONCLUSIONS Chinese mothers who did not breastfeed were more likely to develop hypertension and diabetes in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Zhen Zhang
- Institute of Chronic Disease, Peking University Shougang Hospital , Beijing, People's Republic of China
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17
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Opposite effects of oxytocin on water intake induced by hypertonic NaCl or polyethylene glycol administration. Physiol Behav 2015; 141:135-42. [PMID: 25617595 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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18
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Uvnäs-Moberg K, Handlin L, Petersson M. Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Front Psychol 2015; 5:1529. [PMID: 25628581 PMCID: PMC4290532 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin, a hypothalamic nonapeptide, is linked to increased levels of social interaction, well-being and anti-stress effects. The effects of oxytocin that is released by sensory stimulation during different kinds of interactive behaviors are often underestimated or even forgotten. In fact, many of the positive effects caused during interaction, such a wellbeing, stress reduction and even health promotion, are indeed linked to oxytocin released in response to activation of various types of sensory nerves. Oxytocin is released in response to activation of sensory nerves during labor, breastfeeding and sexual activity. In addition oxytocin is released in response to low intensity stimulation of the skin, e.g., in response to touch, stroking, warm temperature, etc. Consequently oxytocin is not only released during interaction between mothers and infants, but also during positive interaction between adults or between humans and animals. Finally oxytocin is also released in response to suckling and food intake. Oxytocin released in the brain in response to sensory stimulation as a consequence of these types of interactive behaviors, contributes to every day wellbeing and ability to handle stress. Food intake or sex may be used or even abused to achieve oxytocin-linked wellbeing and stress relief to compensate for lack of good relationships or when the levels of anxiety are high. The present review article will summarize the role played by oxytocin released by sensory (in particular somatosensory) stimulation, during various kinds of interactive behaviors. Also the fact that the anti-stress effects of oxytocin are particularly strong when oxytocin is released in response to “low intensity” stimulation of the skin will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Skara, Sweden ; School of Health and Education, University of Skövde , Skövde, Sweden
| | - Linda Handlin
- School of Health and Education, University of Skövde , Skövde, Sweden
| | - Maria Petersson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
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Unternaehrer E, Meyer AH, Burkhardt SCA, Dempster E, Staehli S, Theill N, Lieb R, Meinlschmidt G. Childhood maternal care is associated with DNA methylation of the genes for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in peripheral blood cells in adult men and women. Stress 2015; 18:451-61. [PMID: 26061800 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2015.1038992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In adults, reporting low and high maternal care in childhood, we compared DNA methylation in two stress-associated genes (two target sequences in the oxytocin receptor gene, OXTR; one in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene, BDNF) in peripheral whole blood, in a cross-sectional study (University of Basel, Switzerland) during 2007-2008. We recruited 89 participants scoring < 27 (n = 47, 36 women) or > 33 (n = 42, 35 women) on the maternal care subscale of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) at a previous assessment of a larger group (N = 709, range PBI maternal care = 0-36, age range = 19-66 years; median 24 years). 85 participants gave blood for DNA methylation analyses (Sequenom(R) EpiTYPER, San Diego, CA) and cell count (Sysmex PocH-100i™, Kobe, Japan). Mixed model statistical analysis showed greater DNA methylation in the low versus high maternal care group, in the BDNF target sequence [Likelihood-Ratio (1) = 4.47; p = 0.035] and in one OXTR target sequence Likelihood-Ratio (1) = 4.33; p = 0.037], but not the second OXTR target sequence [Likelihood-Ratio (1) < 0.001; p = 0.995). Mediation analyses indicated that differential blood cell count did not explain associations between low maternal care and BDNF (estimate = -0.005, 95% CI = -0.025 to 0.015; p = 0.626) or OXTR DNA methylation (estimate = -0.015, 95% CI = -0.038 to 0.008; p = 0.192). Hence, low maternal care in childhood was associated with greater DNA methylation in an OXTR and a BDNF target sequence in blood cells in adulthood. Although the study has limitations (cross-sectional, a wide age range, only three target sequences in two genes studied, small effects, uncertain relevance of changes in blood cells to gene methylation in brain), the findings may indicate components of the epiphenotype from early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Unternaehrer
- a Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
- b National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR), Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health (sesam), University of Basel , Switzerland
- c Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University , Montréal , Canada
| | - Andrea Hans Meyer
- a Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Susan C A Burkhardt
- b National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR), Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health (sesam), University of Basel , Switzerland
- d Department of Research & Development , University of Applied Sciences in Special Needs Education , Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Emma Dempster
- e University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University , Exeter , UK
| | - Simon Staehli
- a Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
- f Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier , Trier , Germany
| | - Nathan Theill
- g Division of Psychiatry Research , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland , and
| | - Roselind Lieb
- a Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
- b National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR), Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health (sesam), University of Basel , Switzerland
| | - Gunther Meinlschmidt
- a Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
- b National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR), Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health (sesam), University of Basel , Switzerland
- h Faculty of Medicine , Ruhr-University Bochum , Germany
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20
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Rehn T, Handlin L, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Keeling LJ. Dogs' endocrine and behavioural responses at reunion are affected by how the human initiates contact. Physiol Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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21
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Erkanli K, Erkanli Senturk G, Aydin U, Arbak S, Ercan F, Tuncdemir M, Isiksacan N, Bakir I. Oxytocin Protects Rat Skeletal Muscle Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury. Ann Vasc Surg 2013; 27:662-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Farina EV, Cappello F, Lipari L, Valentino A, Di Felice V, Valentino B. Presence of oxytocin, vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide and their modification in rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus during resistance training. Anat Histol Embryol 2013; 43:159-63. [PMID: 23551170 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Many studies have demonstrated the physiological effects of oxytocin (OT), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and vasopressin (VP) in the homoeostasis of body fluids during physical exercise. However, a little information is available about the related immunohistochemical changes in hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system during and after the training. The aim of the present work was to study the immunohistochemical changes in OT, ANP and VP levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus during and after resistance exercise protocol. Three groups of Wistar rats were trained by a rung ladder protocol for 15, 30 and 45 days, respectively; a fourth group was left to rest for 15 days after the training. Finally, four sedentary groups were used as controls. The results show that resistance training induces a significant reduction in the percentage of OT-positive neurons, compared with sedentary controls. In contrast, this protocol did not induce any change in VP levels, and ANP levels did not change significantly. However, VP increased after the resting period of 15 days. Our work shows that neurons of the paraventricular nucleus are involved in body fluid homoeostasis during and after resistance exercise. The functional significance of these changes in OT and VP levels, during and after the protocol, needs to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Farina
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Anatomia Umana, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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23
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Erkanli Senturk G, Erkanli K, Aydin U, Yucel D, Isiksacan N, Ercan F, Arbak S. The protective effect of oxytocin on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat urinary bladder. Peptides 2013; 40:82-8. [PMID: 23262359 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXY), a well-known nonapeptide, plays a crucial role in reproduction, and has effects on modulating the immune and inflammatory processes in living organisms as well. Recently it is also known as an antioxidant in several organs. The present study aims to demonstrate the protective effect of OXY against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in urinary bladder tissue. Abdominal aorta of rats, were clamped to perform urinary bladder ischemia. OXY (0.5 μg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before ischemia in I/R+OXY group, whereas the vehicle solution was injected to I/R group. At the end of reperfusion, tissue samples from urinary bladder were processed for histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical analysis. Tissue sections were stained by toluidine blue for mast cell counting and hematoxylin-eosin for histopathology. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined biochemically. The results demonstrated that there was an extreme damage at urothelium, dilatation of intercellular junctions, inflammatory cell infiltration in I/R group. I/R+OXY group demonstrated a reduction in the severity of urinary bladder damage. According to mast cell counting results, both granulated and degranulated mast cells were decreased in I/R+OXY group compared to I/R group. The mean MDA level was higher in I/R group compared to control and lower in I/R+OXY group compared to I/R group. GSH level reduced in I/R group compared to the control and increased in I/R+OXY group compared to I/R group. In conclusion, oxytocin, as confirmed by histological evaluation and biochemical assays has a potential protective effect in the urinary bladder tissue against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Erkanli Senturk
- Acibadem University, School of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Istanbul, Turkiye.
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24
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Beetz A, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Julius H, Kotrschal K. Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Front Psychol 2012; 3:234. [PMID: 22866043 PMCID: PMC3408111 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decade it has become more widely accepted that pet ownership and animal assistance in therapy and education may have a multitude of positive effects on humans. Here, we review the evidence from 69 original studies on human-animal interactions (HAI) which met our inclusion criteria with regard to sample size, peer-review, and standard scientific research design. Among the well-documented effects of HAI in humans of different ages, with and without special medical, or mental health conditions are benefits for: social attention, social behavior, interpersonal interactions, and mood; stress-related parameters such as cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure; self-reported fear and anxiety; and mental and physical health, especially cardiovascular diseases. Limited evidence exists for positive effects of HAI on: reduction of stress-related parameters such as epinephrine and norepinephrine; improvement of immune system functioning and pain management; increased trustworthiness of and trust toward other persons; reduced aggression; enhanced empathy and improved learning. We propose that the activation of the oxytocin system plays a key role in the majority of these reported psychological and psychophysiological effects of HAI. Oxytocin and HAI effects largely overlap, as documented by research in both, humans and animals, and first studies found that HAI affects the oxytocin system. As a common underlying mechanism, the activation of the oxytocin system does not only provide an explanation, but also allows an integrative view of the different effects of HAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Beetz
- Department of Special Education, Institut für Sonderpädagogische Entwicklungsförderung und Rehabilitation, University of Rostock Rostock, Germany
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25
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Oxytocin specifically enhances valence-dependent parasympathetic responses. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:87-93. [PMID: 21641726 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionarily highly conserved neuropeptide oxytocin seems to be involved in the regulation of complex forms of social behavior. It enhances the processing of positive social stimuli, reduces behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responses and modulates amygdala activity in humans. Moreover, it has been proposed that oxytocin dampens sympathetic nervous system activity. This hypothesis was tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 38 men either receiving 24 IU oxytocin intranasally or a placebo spray. While accomplishing an emotion classification task, electrodermal responses were measured as an index of sympathetic activity. Moreover, heart rate changes were recorded that are additionally mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system. Oxytocin enhanced differential heart rate responses to facial expressions as a function of the emotional valence, but had no effect on electrodermal activity or tonic measures of physiological arousal. These results indicate that oxytocin specifically modulates phasic activity of the parasympathetic nervous system which potentially reflects an increased motivational value of facial expressions following oxytocin treatment. Findings suggest that anxiolytic effects of oxytocin are not reflected in short-term sympathetic responses and may even be a consequence of rather than a prerequisite for improved social information processing.
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26
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Grewen KM, Light KC. Plasma oxytocin is related to lower cardiovascular and sympathetic reactivity to stress. Biol Psychol 2011; 87:340-9. [PMID: 21540072 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2010] [Revised: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In addition to known reproductive and social affiliation functions, oxytocin (OT) has been identified as a cardiovascular hormone. OT synthesis and receptors are found in cardiac and vascular tissue. Animal studies suggest that OT activates an 'anti-stress' response that reduces cardiovascular and neuroendocrine stress reactivity. We tested 28 early postpartum mothers, obtaining multiple blood samples for OT, the sympathetic marker, norepinephrine (NE), and the lactation hormone, prolactin, while monitoring their cardiovascular responses to two stressors: public speaking and forehead cold pressor. Although plasma OT did not increase reliably from pre-stress levels during stressors, greater overall OT level was related to greater vasodilation and cardiac stroke volume responses to both tasks, to reduction in heart rate to the cold pressor, as well as to lower plasma NE and higher prolactin levels. In contrast, higher NE was linked to increases in heart rate and decreases in stroke volume. These data support a cardioprotective role for OT, which may influence the magnitude and hemodynamic determinants of cardiovascular stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Grewen
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, CB#: 7175, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7175, USA.
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27
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Bernal A, Mahía J, García Del Rio C, Puerto A. Oxytocin polyuria and polydipsia is blocked by NaCl administration in food-deprived male rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2010; 22:1043-51. [PMID: 20649851 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2010.02050.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effects of NaCl injections on the polydipsia and polyuria induced by subcutaneous oxytocin (OT) administration in food-deprived male rats. During the first 12 h of the treatment day, both food deprivation and OT administration increased urine excretion but reduced water intake, water balance (fluid intake minus urine volume) and body weight. OT treatment enhanced urine excretion and the reduction in water balance and body weight without reducing the water intake of food-deprived animals. Analysis of the physiological effects of OT administration showed increases in urinary sodium concentration, sodium excretion and a reduced plasma sodium concentration. During the second 12 h, OT increased both urine excretion and water intake in food-deprived but not in ad lib.-fed rats. However, hypertonic NaCl administration at the start of this second 12-h period blocked the polyuric and polydipsic responses observed in the OT/deprived group but increased the water intake of the ad lib. groups. After the whole 24-h period, animals treated with OT showed a water balance and body weight change matching those observed in Control animals. Although the recording time period is a critical factor to demonstrate the effect of peripheral OT administration on water intake, the results obtained suggest that the polyuric and polydipsic responses observed in food-deprived animals depend on the negative sodium and water balance induced by the natriuretic effect of OT and the unavailability of sodium. These OT-induced deficits can be counteracted by the administration of hypertonic NaCl solutions or simply by the intake of standard food.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bernal
- Psychobiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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28
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Bernal A, Mahía J, Puerto A. Potentiated effect of systemic administration of oxytocin on hypertonic NaCl intake in food-deprived male rats. Horm Behav 2010; 57:284-90. [PMID: 20045414 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2009] [Revised: 12/15/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Subcutaneous administration of oxytocin (OT) increases water intake and sodium/urine excretion in food-deprived male rats. This study analyzes the effect of OT administration (at 0830 and 1430h) on the consumption of water and hypertonic NaCl (1.5%). In the first experiment, injections of OT increased the intake of hypertonic NaCl (but not of water) in food-deprived rats but not in ad lib-fed animals during the second 12 h (2030 to 0830) of the treatment day. The net concentration of the fluid consumed by OT/deprived animals was close to isotonic. In the second experiment, the initial effect of OT administration was an increase in urine volume and urinary sodium excretion and concentration by food-deprived animals during the first 12 h (0830 to 2030). These findings suggest that in food-deprived animals, systemic administration of OT induces NaCl intake as a consequence of previous urine loss and urinary sodium excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Bernal
- Psychobiology, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja, Granada, Spain.
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29
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Grewen KM, Davenport RE, Light KC. An investigation of plasma and salivary oxytocin responses in breast- and formula-feeding mothers of infants. Psychophysiology 2010; 47:625-32. [PMID: 20102537 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00968.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a peptide increasingly studied in relation to human social interactions, affiliation, and clinical disorders. Studies are constrained by use of invasive blood draws and would benefit from a reliable salivary OT assay. Our goals were to examine feasibility of salivary OT measurement, compare salivary to plasma OT responses in 12 breast- and 8 formula-feeding mothers, and assess the degree of correlation between plasma and salivary OT. Using a commercial EIA kit, we measured OT in 5 saliva and 7 plasma samples in a protocol designed to elicit changes in OT (Rest, Infant Interaction, Stress, Feeding). Breast-feeders had higher OT levels than formula-feeders across all conditions in plasma (+36%) and saliva (+23%). OT levels and ranges were similar in saliva and plasma, with slightly greater variance in saliva. Concurrently sampled plasma and salivary OT were correlated at end of Baseline Rest (r=+.59, p=.022) and Post-Stress Recovery (r=+.59, p=.025). These data suggest that salivary OT assay is feasible, and will be of value where plasma samples are not possible. Validation with larger samples is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Grewen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7175, USA.
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Houshmand F, Faghihi M, Zahediasl S. Biphasic protective effect of oxytocin on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in anaesthetized rats. Peptides 2009; 30:2301-8. [PMID: 19761809 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2009] [Revised: 09/06/2009] [Accepted: 09/08/2009] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is well known for its role in reproduction. However, evidence has emerged suggesting a role in cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of oxytocin on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in an in vivo rat. Myocardial ischemia, was surgically induced by means of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion for 25 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min. Infarct size was evaluated using the staining agent 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in plasma were analyzed to assess the degree of cardiac injury. Intraperitoneal administration of OT 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 microg significantly reduced infarct size, LDH and CK-MB levels as compared to control (I/R) group and it had a biphasic effect on the reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury. This biphasic effect was revealed as a U-shaped curve in which efficacy was optimal between very low and very high doses. Furthermore there were no significant differences in mean arterial pressure or heart rate between the OT treatment groups and control group during I/R. Blockade of specific OT receptors by atosiban (10(-6)M) abolished or attenuated the effect of OT preconditioning. The result of this study shows that OT possess a dose-dependent cardioprotective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury and so study of OT preconditioning may provide a new target site for therapeutic exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Houshmand
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Higa-Taniguchi KT, Felix JVC, Michelini LC. Brainstem oxytocinergic modulation of heart rate control in rats: effects of hypertension and exercise training. Exp Physiol 2009; 94:1103-13. [DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2009.049262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Ondrejcakova M, Ravingerova T, Bakos J, Pancza D, Jezova D. Oxytocin exerts protective effects on in vitro myocardial injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2009; 87:137-42. [PMID: 19234577 DOI: 10.1139/y08-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Among the cardiovascular pathologies, ischemic heart disease is a serious medical problem that can result in cardiac injury and (or) heart failure. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that neuropeptide oxytocin induces cardioprotective effects on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial damage. The functional parameters of isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were recorded before and after global 25 min ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. The infarct size was determined by a computerized planimetric method. The results showed that oxytocin produced negative chronotropic effect even at low concentrations (90-125 nmol/L). Perfusion with oxytocin before ischemia resulted in significant reduction of the infarct size (p<0.01), which was about 66% smaller than that in the control group. To evaluate the functional mechanisms involved, further experiments were performed under conditions of constant heart rate. The lower dose of oxytocin (90 nmol/L), which was ineffective in spontaneously beating hearts, induced a significant decrease of contractility. Elimination of the negative chronotropic effect of oxytocin prevented its cardioprotective action. In conclusion, our results demonstrated an attenuation of the infarct size in oxytocin-treated hearts, indicating a cardioprotective effect of oxytocin. The data suggest that the negative chronotropic action of oxytocin participates in its protective effects on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ondrejcakova
- Institute of Heart Research, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava 84005, Slovakia
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Feng M, Qin J, Wang C, Ye Y, Wang S, Xie D, Wang PS, Liu C. Estradiol upregulates the expression of oxytocin receptor in colon in rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2009; 296:E1059-66. [PMID: 19258489 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.90609.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The study was designed to investigate the effect of estradiol on the excitatory effect of oxytocin (OT) on colon motility. Female Wistar rats were used, and some of them were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with vehicle or estradiol (E(2)). A plastic balloon made of condom was inserted into colon to monitor the change of colonic pressure in vivo. Longitudinal muscle strips of distal colon were prepared to monitor the spontaneous contraction of colon in vitro. Expression of OT receptor (OTR) was investigated by Western blot analysis. Expression of OTR mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to locate OTR. In OVX rats, pretreatment of E(2) (4-100 microg/kg sc) dose-dependently increased the excitatory effect of OT on colon motility both in vivo and in vitro and increased the expression of OTR and OTR mRNA in colon. Systemic administration of OT excited the colon motility in vivo in rats at perioda of proestrus and estrus but did not influence it at diestrus period, when the concentration of plasma E(2) was lowest in the estrous cycle. Pretreatment of atosiban, the specific OTR antagonist, and TTX, the blocker of voltage-dependent sodium channel on nerve fiber, attenuated the excitatory effect of OT on colon motility. OTR was located in myenteric plexus of colon. These results suggested that E(2) increased the excitatory effect of OT on colon motility by upregulating the expression of OTR in myenteric plexus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Feng
- Department of Physiology, Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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Duration of lactation and incidence of myocardial infarction in middle to late adulthood. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 200:138.e1-8. [PMID: 19110223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2008] [Revised: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the relation between duration of lactation and maternal incident myocardial infarction. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective cohort study of 89,326 parous women in the Nurses' Health Study. RESULTS During 1,350,965 person-years of follow-up, 2540 cases of coronary heart disease were diagnosed. Compared with parous women who had never breastfed, women who had breastfed for a lifetime total of 2 years or longer had 37% lower risk of coronary heart disease (95% confidence interval, 23-49%; P for trend < .001), adjusting for age, parity, and stillbirth history. With additional adjustment for early-adult adiposity, parental history, and lifestyle factors, women who had breastfed for a lifetime total of 2 years or longer had a 23% lower risk of coronary heart disease (95% confidence interval, 6-38%; P for trend = .02) than women who had never breastfed. CONCLUSION In a large, prospective cohort, long duration of lactation was associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
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Influence of a "warm touch" support enhancement intervention among married couples on ambulatory blood pressure, oxytocin, alpha amylase, and cortisol. Psychosom Med 2008; 70:976-85. [PMID: 18842740 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0b013e318187aef7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a support intervention (warm touch enhancement) influences physiological stress systems that are linked to important health outcomes. Growing evidence points to a protective effect of social and emotional support on both morbidity and mortality. METHODS In this study, 34 healthy married couples (n = 68), aged 20 to 39 years (mean = 25.2 years), were randomly assigned to a "behavior monitoring" control group or participated in a 4-week intervention study in which clinic levels of plasma oxytocin, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, and salivary cortisol and alpha amylase were obtained pre and post intervention, at the same time salivary oxytocin was taken at home during weeks 1 and 4. RESULTS Salivary oxytocin was enhanced both early and late in the intervention group and alpha amylase was reduced at post treatment in intervention group husbands and wives relative to controls. Husbands in the intervention group had significantly lower post treatment 24-hour systolic blood pressure than the control group. CONCLUSION Increasing warm touch among couples has a beneficial influence on multiple stress-sensitive systems.
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Jonas W, Nissen E, Ransjö-Arvidson AB, Wiklund I, Henriksson P, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Short- and long-term decrease of blood pressure in women during breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med 2008; 3:103-9. [PMID: 18563998 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2007.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The benefits of breastfeeding for infants are well known. Recently data have started to emerge showing that breastfeeding may also induce positive effects in the mother. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of maternal blood pressure before, during, and after a breastfeed 2 days postpartum. Additionally, blood pressure during the following 25-week breastfeeding period was investigated. METHODS Sixty-six primiparae with normal deliveries were consecutively recruited. Blood pressure was measured at -5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes in connection with a morning breastfeed. Thirty-three women continued to measure blood pressure before and after breastfeeding for 25 weeks. RESULTS Blood pressure fell significantly in response to breastfeeding 2 days after birth. The fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure amounted to 8.8 (SD = 11.00) and 7.7 (SD = 9.3) mm Hg, respectively. During the 25-week follow-up period a significant fall of basal blood pressure (systolic, df = 3, F = 7.843, p < 0.001; diastolic, df = 3, F = 5.453, p = 0.002) was observed. The total fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure amounted to a mean of 15 (SD = 10.4) mm Hg and 10 (SD = 9.7) mm Hg, respectively. In addition, blood pressure fell significantly in response to individual breastfeeding sessions during the entire observation period. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall during a breastfeeding session, and pre-breastfeeding blood pressure decreases during at least the first 6 months of a breastfeeding period in a homelike environment. This study lends further support to the health-promoting effects of breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Jonas
- Division for Reproductive and Perinatal Health Care, Department of Women and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Burri A, Heinrichs M, Schedlowski M, Kruger THC. The acute effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on endocrine and sexual function in males. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2008; 33:591-600. [PMID: 18375074 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2007] [Revised: 12/15/2007] [Accepted: 01/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) ranges from the modulation of neuroendocrine physiological effects to the establishment of complex social and bonding behaviours. Experimental studies in animals, as well as case reports in humans, suggest that OT affects different aspects of sexual behaviour and has predominantly facilitating properties for sexual appetence and performance. Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation. In addition to the continuous recording of endocrine (OT, cortisol, prolactin, epinephrine, norepinephrine) and cardiovascular data (heart rate), parameters of appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour were assessed using the acute sexual experience scale (ASES). OT plasma levels were significantly elevated after intranasal OT throughout the whole experiment (>60 min). In addition, OT treatment induced significantly higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity without affecting cortisol levels, prolactin levels or heart rate. OT treatment did not alter appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour according to the ASES. However, when subjects were asked about their subjective perception of whether OT or placebo had been applied, eight out of 10 subjects in the OT group answered correctly, thus pointing to an altered perception of arousal. In conclusion, intranasally administered OT leads to a marked increase in OT plasma levels together with increased secretion of catecholamines when subjects are engaged in sexual activity in a laboratory setting. As the effects of OT on sexual behaviour were equivocal, future studies should examine possible facilitating effects further by including males, females, and couples in a field setting, taking into account that OT exerts the most prominent behavioural effects in pair bond formations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Burri
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Zurich, Binzmuhlestrasse 14, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
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Grewen KM, Light KC, Mechlin B, Girdler SS. Ethnicity is associated with alterations in oxytocin relationships to pain sensitivity in women. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2008; 13:219-41. [PMID: 18568974 PMCID: PMC4624387 DOI: 10.1080/13557850701837310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED It is well established that African Americans (AA) experience greater pain associated with a variety of clinical conditions, and greater pain sensitivity to experimental pain tasks relative to non-Hispanic Whites (W). Notably, African Americans do not show the same relationships involving endogenous pain regulatory mechanisms and pain sensitivity documented in Caucasians, including positive associations between blood pressure, norepinephrine, cortisol and greater pain tolerance. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma oxytocin (OT) and pain sensitivity and to explore the relation of OT to other factors known to influence pain perception. DESIGN OT concentration and sensitivity to ischemic, cold pressor, and thermal pain tasks were assessed in African American (n=25) and non-Hispanic White (n=23) pre-menopausal women. RESULTS African American women demonstrated significantly lower pain tolerance across tasks compared with Whites (F(1,46)=6.31, p=0.0156) and also exhibited lower plasma OT levels (AA: 3.90, W: 7.05 pg/mL; p=0.0014). Greater OT levels were correlated with greater tolerance to ischemic pain (r=0.36, p=0.013) and accounted for a marginally significant portion of the ethnic difference in ischemic pain tolerance (B=+0.29, p=0.06). Greater OT was also correlated with greater tolerance of cold pressor pain (r=0.31, p=0.03); however, this association was no longer seen after the variance due to ethnicity was accounted for. CONCLUSION These data suggest that reduced oxytocinergic function may be one of multiple biological factors contributing to the greater sensitivity to experimental ischemic pain, and to the greater burden of some types of clinical pain experienced by African Americans compared with Whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Grewen
- Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
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Lee ES, Uhm KO, Lee YM, Kwon J, Park SH, Soo KH. Oxytocin stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells through the calcium-CaMKK-AMPK pathway. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 151:71-4. [PMID: 18555543 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2008.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Revised: 04/02/2008] [Accepted: 05/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that is released mainly after distension of the uterine cervix. In this study, we report that oxytocin stimulates intracellular release of calcium, and also activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) in C2C12 myoblast cells in a time/dose-dependent manner. Oxytocin receptor mRNA was detected in C2C12 cells. In addition, oxytocin stimulated glucose uptake and, moreover, inhibition of either CaMKK (Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase) or AMPK blocked oxytocin-mediated AMPK activation and glucose uptake. Taken together, our findings suggest that oxytocin may serve a peripheral metabolic function in skeletal muscle cells through the calcium-CaMKK-AMPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Soo Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, 126-1,5 ga, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea
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Nordquist L, Isaksson B, Sjöquist M. The effect of amiloride during infusion of oxytocin in male sprague-dawley rats: a study of a possible intrarenal target site for oxytocin. Clin Exp Hypertens 2008; 30:151-8. [PMID: 18293170 DOI: 10.1080/10641960801944231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A possible natriuretic mechanism of action of oxytocin was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of an intravenous bolus injection of amiloride on urine volume, potassium and sodium excretion, and osmolality were measured with and without an intravenous infusion of oxytocin in saline. Control values were obtained during the infusion of saline. Amiloride administered during an oxytocin infusion increased sodium excretion from 0.1 +/- 0.0 to 16.6 +/- 2.1 micromol/min. In animals treated with amiloride only, the sodium excretion was 4.5 +/- 0.8 micromol/min. The administration of oxytocin only resulted in a sodium excretion of 1.2 +/- 0.3 micromol/min. After the administration of oxytocin, amiloride increased urinary flow from 4.3 +/- 0.6 microl/min to 48.8 +/- 6.1 microl/min. In animals treated with amiloride only, the flow after the bolus dose was 17.7 +/- 1.8 microl/min. The administration of oxytocin only resulted in a flow of 8.5 +/- 1.6 microl/min. The amiloride-caused change in potassium excretion was not inhibited by oxytocin. In summary, the effects of amiloride were not inhibited by the actions of oxytocin. Amiloride administrated after reaching a near steady-state effect of oxytocin was found to give rise to an effect far greater than that after the administration of oxytocin or amiloride alone. It is concluded that the intrarenal natriuretic mechanisms of oxytocin do not emanate from the amiloride-sensitive sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Nordquist
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Li L, Kong X, Liu H, Liu C. Systemic oxytocin and vasopressin excite gastrointestinal motility through oxytocin receptor in rabbits. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2007; 19:839-44. [PMID: 17883435 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2007.00953.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of systemic oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) on the motility of stomach and duodenum. Two plastic balloons made of condom were inserted into stomach and duodenum to monitor the change of mean pressure. Intravenous injection of OT (0.1-0.8 microg kg(-1)) or VP (0.02-0.08 IU kg(-1)) dose-dependently increased the stomach and duodenum pressure. Pretreatment of atosiban (1 microg kg(-1)), the specific OT receptor (OTR) antagonist, attenuated the excitatory effect of OT or VP on the pressure of stomach and duodenum. Pretreatment of V1880 (1 microg kg(-1)), the specific V1 receptor blocker, did not influence this effect. So we conclude that both of OT and VP injected systemically increased the gastric and duodenum motility via OTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Li
- Department of Physiology, Heze Medical College, Heze, China
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Petersson M, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Effects of an acute stressor on blood pressure and heart rate in rats pretreated with intracerebroventricular oxytocin injections. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2007; 32:959-65. [PMID: 17698297 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2006] [Revised: 06/28/2007] [Accepted: 06/29/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin induces a long-lasting reduction of blood pressure in rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an acute stressor on blood pressure and heart rate in rats previously exposed to repeated administration of intracerebroventricular (ICV) oxytocin. For this purpose oxytocin (0.3 microg, ICV) was administered to male rats once a day during 5 days. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after treatment. In addition, blood pressure and heart rate were measured during 30 min after exposure to 10s of noise from an alarm clock. The oxytocin treatment reduced blood pressure significantly (systolic: 108+/-4.6 vs. 121+/-1.8, p<0.01, diastolic: 96+/-5.1 vs. 108+/-3.0, p<0.01), whereas heart rate remained unchanged. In contrast, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly after the exposure to the ringing alarm clock in the oxytocin-treated rats (p<0.05), and became equal to the blood pressure in controls. In addition, heart rate increased and stayed significantly higher in the oxytocin-treated rats compared to the controls during the 30 min observation period (ANOVA p<0.01). Twenty-four hours later, blood pressure was again significantly lower in the oxytocin-treated rats compared to controls (p<0.01). In conclusion, oxytocin decreased blood pressure without changing pulse rate. However, when the oxytocin-treated rats were subjected to the unexpected noise from a ringing alarm clock blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly. No such effect was observed in the control group. Thus repeated oxytocin treatment can, in spite of decreasing blood pressure during basal conditions, increase cardiovascular reactivity to some types of stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Petersson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Tuğtepe H, Sener G, Biyikli NK, Yüksel M, Cetinel S, Gedik N, Yeğen BC. The protective effect of oxytocin on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 140:101-8. [PMID: 17261335 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2006.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2006] [Revised: 11/09/2006] [Accepted: 11/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM Oxytocin was previously shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in different inflammation models. The major objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of oxytocin (OT) in protecting the kidney against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were unilaterally nephrectomized, and subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 6 h of reperfusion. OT (1 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle was administered 15 min prior to ischemia and was repeated immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were decapitated and kidney samples were taken for histological examination or determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation; glutathione (GSH), a key antioxidant; and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of tissue neutrophil infiltration. Creatinine and urea concentrations in blood were measured for the evaluation of renal function, while TNF-alpha and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined to evaluate generalized tissue damage. Formation of reactive oxygen species in renal tissue samples was monitored by chemiluminescence technique using luminol and lucigenin probes. RESULTS The results revealed that I/R injury increased (p<0.01-0.001) serum urea, creatinine, TNF-alpha and LDH levels, as well as MDA, MPO and reactive oxygen radical levels in the renal tissue, while decreasing renal GSH content. However, alterations in these biochemical and histopathological indices due to I/R injury were attenuated by OT treatment (p<0.05-0.001). CONCLUSIONS Since OT administration improved renal function and microscopic damage, along with the alleviation of oxidant tissue responses, it appears that oxytocin protects renal tissue against I/R-induced oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halil Tuğtepe
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Kulik JA, Mahler HIM. Marital quality predicts hospital stay following coronary artery bypass surgery for women but not men. Soc Sci Med 2006; 63:2031-40. [PMID: 16797812 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study examined how two indices of spouse support, one relatively general and chronic (perceived overall marital quality), and one relatively situation-specific and acute (spouse support while in the hospital), separately and in interaction with patient gender, predict postoperative length of stays following major (coronary bypass) surgery. In a sample of 226 male and 70 female patients drawn from three hospitals in the San Diego area, California, the results indicated that marital quality, in combination with patient gender, predicted postoperative lengths of stay, such that relatively poor marital relationships elevated risk for longer stays for female but not male patients. Lengths of stay for female patients with higher quality marital relationships were similar to those of male patients (regardless of marital quality). These results were not attributable to any assessed preoperative differences in patient health and were independent of perceptions of spouse support received while in the hospital, which did not independently predict patients' lengths of stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Kulik
- University of California, San Diego La Jolla 92093 0109, San Diego, USA.
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Martins AS, Crescenzi A, Stern JE, Bordin S, Michelini LC. Hypertension and exercise training differentially affect oxytocin and oxytocin receptor expression in the brain. Hypertension 2005; 46:1004-9. [PMID: 16157794 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.0000175812.03322.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that exercise training activates nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) oxytocinergic projections, resulting in blunted exercise tachycardia. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of hypertension and training on oxytocin (OT) and OT receptor expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and projection areas (dorsal brain stem [DBS]). Male, normotensive, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats were trained (55% maximal exercise capacity, 3 months) or kept sedentary, and pressure was measured weekly. DBS sections were processed for immunohistochemistry (polyclonal guinea pig anti-OT) or in situ hybridization for OT and OT receptor (35S-oligonucleotide probes). Other groups of rats had brains removed and frozen to isolate the DBS and PVN; samples were processed for OT and OT receptor cDNA reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification with beta-actin as the housekeeping gene. Training was equally effective in improving running distance in both groups, with pressure reduction only in SHR (-10%, P<0.05). In trained WKY, baseline bradycardia (P<0.05) occurred simultaneously with increased NTS OT immunostaining and mRNA expression (+3.5-fold), without any change in OT receptor mRNA expression. PVN OT mRNA and DBS OT receptor mRNA expressions were significantly lower in SHR versus WKY (-39% and -56%, respectively). Training did not alter DBS OT receptor density in the SHR group but increased OT mRNA in both PVN and DBS areas (+78% and +45%, respectively). Our results show a marked hypertension-induced reduction in OT receptor mRNA expression, not altered by training. In contrast, training increased OT mRNA expression in sedentary and hypertensive rats, which may facilitate training-induced cardiac performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano S Martins
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Lee SY, Kim MT, Jee SH, Yang HP. Does long-term lactation protect premenopausal women against hypertension risk? A Korean women's cohort study. Prev Med 2005; 41:433-8. [PMID: 15917038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2003] [Revised: 08/02/2004] [Accepted: 11/18/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the long-term effect of lactation on maternal cardiovascular health except for a few animal or human experimental studies. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of lactation on the incidence of hypertension in premenopausal women. METHODS The data were derived from a cohort study with 6 years follow-up (1995-2000). The cohort was composed of 177,749 Korean premenopausal women, aged 20-59, who had medical evaluations in 1992 and 1994. During the follow-up, blood pressure was measured as part of the 1996, 1998, and 2000 periodic examinations. RESULTS In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, lactation decreased the risk of hypertension (risk ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.96). Compared with women who with no history of lactation, 1-6 months of lactation decreased the risk of hypertension (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.93), as did 7-12 months (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.98) or 13-18 months (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99). In particular, the coexistence of obesity and no lactation increased the risk of hypertension (P for interaction = 0.028). CONCLUSION This finding suggests that lactation may be a protective factor against hypertension among premenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Young Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Yeounton-gu, Suwon 443-721, Republic of Korea.
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Grewen KM, Girdler SS, Amico J, Light KC. Effects of partner support on resting oxytocin, cortisol, norepinephrine, and blood pressure before and after warm partner contact. Psychosom Med 2005; 67:531-8. [PMID: 16046364 DOI: 10.1097/01.psy.0000170341.88395.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined whether the magnitude of plasma oxytocin (OT), norepinephrine (NE), cortisol, and blood pressure (BP) responses before and after a brief episode of warm contact (WC) with the spouse/partner may be related to the strength of perceived partner support. METHODS Subjects were 38 cohabiting couples (38 men, 38 women) aged 20 to 49 years. All underwent 10 minutes of resting baseline alone, 10 minutes of WC together with their partner, and 10 minutes of postcontact rest alone. RESULTS Greater partner support (based on self-report) was related to higher plasma oxytocin in men and women across the protocol before and after WC. In women, higher partner support was correlated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) during solitary rest after WC but not before. Also, higher OT in women was linked to lower BP at baseline and to lower NE at all 4 measurements. CONCLUSION Greater partner support is linked to higher OT for both men and women; however, the importance of OT and its potentially cardioprotective effects on sympathetic activity and BP may be greater for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Grewen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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Petersson M, Diaz-Cabiale Z, Angel Narváez J, Fuxe K, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Oxytocin increases the density of high affinity α2-adrenoceptors within the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the nucleus of the solitary tract in ovariectomized rats. Brain Res 2005; 1049:234-9. [PMID: 15967417 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2004] [Revised: 05/10/2005] [Accepted: 05/13/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin induces long-term changes in, for example, blood pressure, spontaneous motor activity and corticosterone levels in rats. Previous studies in male rats have suggested a role for alpha(2)-adrenoceptors within the central nervous system in these effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate if oxytocin treatment in female rats would influence alpha(2)-adrenoceptors within the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). For this purpose, female ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with oxytocin (1 mg/kg s.c.) or saline once a day for 10 days. Rats were decapitated 5 days after the last injection, and brains and plasma were collected. Quantitative receptor autoradiography for characterization of high affinity alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist binding and radioimmunoassay for corticosterone were performed. Oxytocin increased the B(max) values of the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist [3H]UK14.304 binding sites significantly in all the analyzed areas (P<0.05). K(d) values were unchanged. Plasma levels of corticosterone were significantly decreased in the oxytocin-treated rats (P<0.05). These findings are in further support of an interaction between oxytocin receptors and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors and show that oxytocin treatment may increase alpha(2)-adrenoceptor recognition probably leading to an increase in alpha(2)-adrenoceptor signaling in several parts of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Petersson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Karolinska Institutet/Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Oxytocin, ein Vermittler von Antistress, Wohlbefinden, sozialer Interaktion, Wachstum und Heilung/ Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOSOMATISCHE MEDIZIN UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2005; 51:57-80. [DOI: 10.13109/zptm.2005.51.1.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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