Oxytocin: a therapeutic target for mental disorders
Mitsuhiro Matsuzaki1, Hiroaki Matsushita, Kazuhito Tomizawa
1Department of Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
The Journal of Physiological Sciences : JPS
|September 26, 2012
Summary
Oxytocin (OT) shows antidepressant-like effects, but struggles to cross the blood-brain barrier. Sildenafil, a sexual dysfunction drug, enhances OT release and signaling, suggesting potential as a novel antidepressant.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Oxytocin (OT) is released during stress and social interaction, exhibiting antidepressant-like effects in animal models.
- Clinical studies indicate OT's potential for treating psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism.
- OT's therapeutic use for major depressive disorders is limited by its poor blood-brain barrier penetration when administered systemically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential of sildenafil as an antidepressant.
- To investigate the mechanism by which sildenafil may exert antidepressant effects.
- To examine the role of oxytocin signaling in sildenafil's observed effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on oxytocin release and function.
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects of sildenafil on oxytocin release.
- Examination of evidence linking sildenafil to oxytocin signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Sexual activity and mating stimulate central nervous system oxytocin release.
- Sildenafil enhances the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary.
- Sildenafil demonstrates antidepressant-like effects mediated through oxytocin signaling.
Conclusions:
- Sildenafil's ability to enhance oxytocin release and signaling suggests a novel therapeutic avenue.
- Sildenafil shows promise as a potential antidepressant agent.
- Further research is warranted to explore sildenafil's efficacy and safety for treating depression.
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