Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuki Takayanagi, Tatsushi Onaka
Summary: Oxytocin plays a role in anxiety suppression, anti-stress, psychosocial behavior, and reproductive functions; responds to various stressful stimuli; maintains stability, adjusts adaptive set points, and promotes adaptive responses to stressors; involved in treating stress-related disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Angel Baudon, Etienne Clauss Creusot, Ferdinand Althammer, Christian P. Schaaf, Alexandre Charlet
Summary: The neuropeptide oxytocin has been studied for its effects on physiology, neuronal circuits, and behaviors, particularly sociality. Recent studies have shown the existence and importance of astroglial oxytocin receptors in various brain regions. The role of astrocytic oxytocin receptors in neuromodulation and integrated brain functions still needs further investigation.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Zhang, Yangyang Zhu, Jinghui Wang, Li Jin, Mingwei Guo, Liwei Chen, Lina Zhang, Yangyang Li, Baocheng Wan, Rong Zhang, Weiping Jia, Cheng Hu
Summary: Nrg4 is an adipose tissue-enriched factor that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and is closely associated with obesity. It acts on ErbB4 in the hypothalamus, excites PVN neurons, and influences energy balance. Its effects on reducing obesity are mediated through ErbB4-mediated excitation of Oxt release from Oxt neurons.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Takako Tokui, Takako Kawakita, Rie Yanagihara, Shuhei Kamada, Saki Minato, Asuka Takeda, Junki Imaizumi, Yuri Yamamoto, Kanako Yoshida, Takeshi Kato, Minoru Irahara, Takeshi Iwasa
Summary: The study found that estradiol can regulate the expression of the oxytocin system in rats, reducing appetite and weight gain by increasing oxytocin levels. Therefore, oxytocin may be a potential target for interventions in metabolic disorders induced by menopause.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Luis Henrique Angenendt da Costa, Nilton Nascimento Santos-Junior, Carlos Henrique Rocha Catalao, Maria Jose Alves Rocha
Summary: The study findings demonstrate that microglial activation modulates the secretion of several hormones to varying degrees during sepsis, and this process is associated with inflammatory mediators produced both centrally and peripherally.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damien Hunter, Kee Heng, Navdeep Mann, Ravinder Anand-Ivell, Richard Ivell
Summary: This study found that maternal exposure to xenobiotics DBP or DES may cause long-term changes in hypothalamic gene expression and reproductive behavior in offspring, particularly leading to significant impact on gene expression and sexual behavior with DES treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Marsillo, Lovena David, Bishoy Gerges, Daniel Kerr, Rodina Sadek, Vitaliy Lasiychuk, David Salame, Youstina Soliman, Silvia Menkes, Aheli Chatterjee, Andrew Mancuso, Probal Banerjee
Summary: FXS, caused by the non-expression of the Fmr1 gene, leads to developmental disorders and abnormal behaviors mainly in males. Activation of PKCε has shown to correct abnormal behaviors in FXS mice during brain development and adulthood.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Susu Pan, Kaili Yin, Zhiwei Tang, Shuren Wang, Zhuo Chen, Yirong Wang, Hongxia Zhu, Yunyun Han, Mei Liu, Man Jiang, Ningzhi Xu, Guo Zhang
Summary: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death globally, with lifestyle factors and inflammatory bowel conditions being risk factors. Research has also linked the development of colorectal tumors to stress, anxiety, and depression. The hypothalamus and its Oxt-producing neurons may influence the progression of colorectal cancer in mice by regulating the activity of an abdominal 'hub' of the nervous system.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Anna Aulinas, Maged Muhammed, Kendra R. Becker, Elisa Asanza, Kristine Hauser, Casey Stern, Julia Gydus, Tara Holmes, Helen Burton Murray, Lauren Breithaupt, Nadia Micali, Madhusmita Misra, Kamryn T. Eddy, Jennifer J. Thomas, Elizabeth A. Lawson
Summary: This study examined the response of anorexigenic oxytocin to food intake in adolescents and young adults with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). It was found that individuals with ARFID had higher levels of oxytocin compared to healthy controls at all time points.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoko Kato, Harumi Katsumata, Ayumu Inutsuka, Akihiro Yamanaka, Tatsushi Onaka, Shiro Minami, Chitose Orikasa
Summary: The study demonstrates that neurons expressing melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) play a crucial role in parental nursing behavior in mammals. Genetic ablation of these neurons leads to impaired maternal nursing and reduced post-birth survival rates. Additionally, chemogenetic and optogenetic stimulation of LHA-MCH neurons induces parental nursing in virgin female and male mice, highlighting the importance of hypothalamic MCH neural relays in reproductive behavior.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Itskovich, Daniel L. Bowling, Joseph P. Garner, Karen J. Parker
Summary: Significant clinical improvement is often seen in patients receiving placebo treatment, which can be attributed to both experimental design limitations and genuine physiological changes. The activation of brain reward circuits and the warmth and proficiency demonstrated by clinicians play important roles in the observed benefits. Oxytocin and social reward are key factors in facilitating placebo effects, providing a neurobiological basis for evaluating this fundamental aspect of medical care.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Aubrey M. Kelly, Ashley W. Seifert
Summary: VP and OT, two nonapeptides, play critical roles in modulating physiology and social behaviors across vertebrates, showing relatively strong evolutionary conservation in distributions. The distribution of VP and OT neurons in Acomys cahirinus, a gregarious rodent species, was examined, revealing both similarities and sex differences in neuronal populations compared to other rodents. These findings provide foundational knowledge for studying nonapeptide-mediated behavior in social rodents.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Patrycja Mlotkowska, Elzbieta Marciniak, Anna Misztal, Tomasz Misztal
Summary: This study investigated the effects of neurosteroids on oxytocin synthesis and release in non-pregnant and pregnant sheep. The results showed that manipulating central neurosteroid levels could affect oxytocin secretion, particularly under stress and pregnancy conditions.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Carla L. Sanchez-Lafuente, Raquel Romay-Tallon, Josh Allen, Jenessa N. Johnston, Lisa E. Kalynchuk, Hector J. Caruncho
Summary: This study reveals the sexually dimorphic subpopulation of reelin-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus that can be differentially affected by chronic stress for the first time. Chronic corticosterone shows gender-specific effects on behavior and reelin expression in the paraventricular nucleus.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aida Maddahi, Lars Edvinsson, Karin Warfvinge
Summary: The expression of vasopressin and its receptors in the brain and trigeminovascular system, particularly in migraine-related regions, was identified. No differences in CGRP and vasopressin expression were found between male and female rats in the trigeminal ganglion. However, the number of RAMP1, oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, and vasopressin receptors immunoreactive cells were higher in females. Vasopressin and its receptors were expressed in both hypothalamus and trigeminal ganglion, with higher levels of vasopressin mRNA in the hypothalamus. Vasopressin and closely related oxytocin may play important roles in migraine pathophysiology.
JOURNAL OF HEADACHE AND PAIN
(2022)