Cited by 108Regulation of Appetite and ObesityNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

Role of oxytocin signaling in the regulation of body weight

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Blevins, James E., Ho, Jacqueline M.·2013·Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

Abstract

Obesity and its associated metabolic disorders are growing health concerns in the US and worldwide. In the US alone, more than two-thirds of the adult population is classified as either overweight or obese [1], highlighting the need to develop new, effective treatments for these conditions. Whereas the hormone oxytocin is well known for its peripheral effects on uterine contraction during parturition and milk ejection during lactation, release of oxytocin from somatodendrites and axonal terminals within the central nervous system (CNS) is implicated in both the formation of prosocial behaviors and in the control of energy balance. Recent findings demonstrate that chronic administration of oxytocin reduces food intake and body weight in diet-induced obese (DIO) and genetically obese rodents with impaired or defective leptin signaling. Importantly, chronic systemic administration of oxytocin out to 6 weeks recapitulates the effects of central administration on body weight loss in DIO rodents at doses that do not result in the development of tolerance. Furthermore, these effects are coupled with induction of Fos (a marker of neuronal activation) in hindbrain areas (e.g. dorsal vagal complex (DVC)) linked to the control of meal size and forebrain areas (e.g. hypothalamus, amygdala) linked to the regulation of food intake and body weight. This review assesses the potential central and peripheral targets by which oxytocin may inhibit body weight gain, its regulation by anorexigenic and orexigenic signals, and its potential use as a therapy that can circumvent leptin resistance and reverse the behavioral and metabolic abnormalities associated with DIO and genetically obese models.

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  • The reliability of peripheral vasopressin and oxytocin levels as biomarkers of anorexia nervosa is weakened by global hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, the impact of fluid and sodium restriction and purging behaviours in anorexia nervosa, and the putative role of the two hormones in the regulation of the gut-brain axis and energy homeostasis.

    “The reliability of peripheral ADH and OT levels as biomarkers of AN is weakened by the global hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, the impact of fluid and sodium restriction and purging behaviours observed in AN and the putative role of the two hormones in the regulation of the gut brain axis and energy homeostasis (Blevins and Ho, 2013).”

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Authors
Blevins, J. E., & Ho, J. M.
Affiliations
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
Corresponding author
Blevins, James E.
Venue
Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Published
2013-09-25
Volume
14
Issue
4
Pages
311-329
ISSN
  • 1389-9155 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2606
OpenAlex
W2068155003
Cited by
108
References
235
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10
FWCI
1.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (I01 BX001213)
  • Office of Research and Development
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK017047)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
Keywords
oxytocin, body weight regulation, obesity, diet-induced obesity, leptin resistance, energy balance, dietary intake, dorsal vagal complex, hypothalamus, amygdala, Fos expression, oxytocin therapy
MeSH terms
Adult, Animals, Appetite Depressants, Appetite Regulation, Body Weight, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Oxytocin, Signal Transduction, Weight Loss

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