Oxytocin (10mg)

What is the Oxytocin peptide?

Oxytocin is a small peptide comprising only nine amino acids, produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the posterior pituitary. It is also produced by the placenta, ovaries, testes, and even adrenal glands, thymus, retina, and pancreas. The active hormone is obtained by proteolytic cleavage of a larger precursor protein. It is no longer considered merely a neurohypophyseal hormone as its effects are far-reaching and include other peptides. Oxytocin appears to be a protein with two independent natural functions. First, it appears to act as a neuropeptide produced by the hypothalamus to regulate bonding, sexual reproduction, and childbirth. Oxytocin appears to be not only bloodborne but also secreted by the placenta of pregnant women to influence childbirth, milk production, and bonding with newborns. Small amounts of the protein produced from testes in men appears to promote mating behavior and pair bonding.

Specifications

AKA: Endopituitrina, Pitocin

Molecular Formula: C43H66N12O12S2

Molecular Weight: 1007.2 g/mol

Sequence: Cys-Tyr-lle-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly

PubChem: CID 439302

CAS Number: 50-56-6

Reconstitution: Required

Oxytocin Research

Oxytocin and Wound Healing
Oxytocin appears to regulate inflammation through inflammatory cytokines. Increased social interaction between 37 couples was observed to trigger Oxytocin (Pitocin) levels and leads to faster wound healing. Similarly, studies in hostile equations between couples appears to suppress oxytocin production and delays wound healing by 40%.^[1] he researchers conclude that “These data confirm and extend prior evidence implicating oxytocin and vasopressin in couples’ positive and negative communication behaviors, and also provide further evidence of their role in an important health outcome, wound healing.” These hostile couples also exhibited reduced IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-1beta at the wound site.^[2]

Oxytocin and Cardiovascular Risk
The hormone has been speculated to protect cardiac and vascular systems. It may promote fat burning, control blood pressure, improve glucose intolerance, and relieve anxiety.^[3] These factors may influence cardiovascular disease (CVD), and thus Oxytocin (Pitocin) may be an important adjuvant for existing CVD treatment. Reduced Oxytocin receptors may cause atherosclerosis.^[4] The scientist report that “The major pathophysiological basis of CAD is atherosclerosis in association with varieties of immunometabolic disorders that can suppress oxytocin (OT) receptor (OTR) signaling in the cardiovascular system (CVS).” Oxytocin treatment appears to overcome the drawback of reduced receptor density and helps maintain cardiac integrity. Administration of peptide in hearts of rats during a heart attack appeared to assist in preventing cellular death of cardiomyocytes. Jankoski et. al. suggested that late-term development of dilated cardiomyopathy may be addressed by chronic Oxytocin (Endopituitrina) treatment. It also appears to help to prime the cardiac stem cells for “tissue regeneration through direct differentiation, secretion of protective and cardiomyogenic factors, and/or their fusion with injured cardiomyocytes.” It further appears to control cardiac damage due to diabetes in mice. The fat accumulation in these mice was reported to be reduced by 19%, and the fasting glucose levels by about 23%. Oxytocin (Endopituitrina) appears to increase insulin resistance in the animals, and establishes proper systolic and diastolic functions over control animals leading to decreased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis.^[5] It protects against ischemic injuries in other tissues as well apart from the heart. Rats with priapism (persistent erection) indicate the potential benefit of Oxycotin (Pitocin) administration against ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing nitric oxide levels.

Oxytocin and Diabetes Management
The peptide appears to improve glucose uptake by skeletal muscles via boosting insulin sensitivity. It further may enhance lipid utilization, dyslipidemia, and body fat mass reduction. Oxytocin deficiency has also been suggested to correlate to obesity even with normal food uptake and exercise, suggesting its role in energy homeostasis.^[6] Oxytocin appears to affect insulin, glucose, and body composition in obese mice but not in lean mice. Research observations suggest that the peptide might be beneficial in certain settings only. The backdrop of diabetes triggers different effects on patients compared to the absence of diabetes. Intranasal application of the peptide appeared to decrease levels of glucose, insulin, and also appeared to exercise about 9 kg weight losses during the eight weeks of trial. As per Barengolts, “circulating oxytocin is lower in type 2 diabetes versus normoglycemic subjects and negatively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin A1C and insulin resistance.”

Oxytocin and Cognitive Performance
Maternal deprivation at a young age may cause irreversible cognitive and behavioral functioning changes that can last a lifetime. Mice models suggest Oxytocin changes due to less parental bonding may be a prominent cause. Oxytocin treatment in maternally deprived mice appeared to increase hormone levels for neuronal development in the prefrontal cortex. Overall behavior appeared to remain constant, but the cognitive ability was observe to be improved in the cohort exposed to Oxytocin.^[7] Intranasal Oxytocin may improve learning in mice in the backdrop of stress.

Oxytocin Peptide Research and Anxiety
The hormone has been studied for its potential to minimize anxiety and depression. The genetic polymorphisms in the Oxytocin (Endopituitrina) receptor gene appear to cause social anxiety disorder and problems with attachment in childhood. Untreated patients with social anxiety have also displayed epigenetic changes in the Oxytocin receptor.^[8] This indicates a possible compensatory pathway for pathologically suppressed Oxytocin levels. This indicates that social anxiety may be partially triggered by diminished Oxytocin signaling. Oxytocin dysregulation may lead to borderline personality disorder (BPD) as well. BPD triggers hypervigilance toward threats, extreme mistrust, and altered non-verbal social behavior. Patients given intranasal oxytocin with BPD were observed to exhibit positive behavioral alterations. BPD is extremely challenging to treat and has significant short- and long-term effects on quality of life; therefore, Oxytocin may help understand the pathology leading to better treatment.

Oxytocin and Hunger
Research in a condition (Prader-Willi syndrome) marked by uncontrolled appetite has suggested that at least part of the pathology results from increased suppression of Oxytocin (Pitocin) signaling.^[9] Therefore, Oxytocin (Endopituitrina) is observed to play a potential role in regulating hunger state and feeding behavior.

Oxytocin and Old Muscle
Oxytocin also appears to regulate muscle maintenance. Age-associated reduction in molecule levels appears to lead to muscle wasting (sarcopenia). The research carried out at Berkeley suggests that both blood levels of the peptide and its receptors on muscle stem cells decrease with age. Exogenous use of Oxytocin appears to allow muscles to recover much of their healing potential. According to Elabd, one of the authors of the research, “repair of muscle in the old mice was at about 80 percent” compared to younger mice after Oxytocin was administered. Thus it can be potentially used to treat age-related organ degeneration and thereby slow down dysfunction. Experimental studies report that the peptide appears to exhibit minimal side effects, low oral bioavailability, and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not match the dose required in humans.

References