催产素减轻抑郁症状机制的研究进展

抑郁症是临床上常见的精神疾病.目前缺少治疗抑郁症的有效手段.催产素(oxytocin,OT)是一种由下丘脑室旁核和视上核神经元分泌的神经肽,参与生理和病理状态下多种复杂神经精神活动.近年来,许多临床和基础研究显示OT可通过多种机制减轻抑郁症状.本文就OT的生理作用,抑郁状态下OT分泌水平,OT对抑郁相关激素、脑区、环路和神经可塑性及OT对氧化应激反应的作用等最新研究进展做一综述,探究OT减轻抑郁症状的机制.     

催产素和加压素与应激的关系

催产素和加压素是由下丘脑视上核和室旁核大细胞性神经内分泌细胞合成和分泌的一种神经垂体激素。各种应刺激都可以引起催产素和加压素神经元的活动。目前应激后引起的这类神经活动的变化与人类的某结疾病的病理生理相关联正在引起人们的关注。西文总结了近几年在这方面的研究进展。主要内容包括：（1）催产素和加压素神经元在应激中的反应;（2）在大细胞性催产素和加压素神经元的应激反应相关联的神经传递物质;（3）与应激相关联的精神疾病的关系。     

加压素和催产素在中枢神经系统中的作用

加压素(AVP)和催产素(OT)是密切相关的2种肽,它们的基因均位于人类第20条染色体上。来自于神经垂体分泌的AVP和OT直接释放到循环系统,调节靶细胞的活动:来自于中枢轴突末梢释放AVP和OT遍布整个中枢神经系统,作为神经递质或调制调节神经细胞的活动,在特定脑区与记忆及精神上的疾病有关。研究AVP和OT在中枢神经系统中的作用,不仅有助于揭示精神分裂症、抑郁、酗酒、老年性痴呆、帕金森氏病等的致病机理,而且对揭示人类社会婚配制度的神经生物学机制提供参考资料。     

垂体后叶激素对腺垂体某些激素分泌的影响

短门脉是神经垂体与腺垂体联系的桥梁。腺垂体存在加压素(VP)受体。下丘脑—神经垂体束的部分轴突终止在正中隆起,其末梢释放VP和后叶垂体肽类入垂体长门脉中。垂体门脉中含有高浓度的VP和催产素(OT)。VP可促进ACTH释放,OT能刺激CRF活性,间接影响ACTH释放。OT直接作用于腺垂体,特异地促进PRL释放,并具有剂量相关关系。VP对腺垂体也有直接作用,提高血浆PRL浓度。VP可提高假孕或孕酮处理的动物中垂体LH的含量,使LH更易释放。内源性OT参与抑制LHRH释放。     

田鼠婚配制度的神经内分泌基础

作为繁殖行为的一种表现形式,婚配制度是通过长期进化而形成的,具有种属特异性及可遗传性。因此,不同的婚配制度具有不同的生理基础。这种生理基础由3级结构组成：神经直接启动并维持繁殖行为;激素或通过诱导特异神经通路的发育或直接激活神经传导影响繁殖行为;基因则可能是通过调节激素的代谢和作用方式来控制与繁殖行为相关的神经系统。田鼠脑中涉及婚配制度的区域集中在视前区中部（MPOA）,腹被盖区（VTA）,膈部及纹状体端部。起作用的激素主要是催产素（OT）和后叶加压素（AVP）。导致田鼠形成不同婚配制度的最终原因可能是这两种激素受体基因上的差异。受体基因调控区的启动子序列存在变异,导致脑中受体基因在表达区域上的差异,进而使激素激活不同的神经通路,产生不同的繁殖行为及婚配制度。     

催乳素家族与哺乳动物妊娠

妊娠相关的催乳素家族成员包括垂体分泌的催乳素,子宫蜕膜分泌的蜕膜催乳素和胎盘分泌的催乳素样蛋白及催乳素相关蛋白。典型的催乳素家族成员通过催乳素受体起作用,非典型的催乳素家族成员作为生长因子,神经递质或免疫调节因子以自分泌或旁分泌方式起作用。在哺乳动物妊娠过程中,催乳素家族成员发挥重要功能。它们参与母体对妊娠的适应,促进泌乳,维持黄体,促进胚胎着床和血管发生,促进细胞生长和分化及在免疫调节中起作用。     

精神类疾病与肥胖的关系：催产素的作用机制

催产素(OT)在中枢神经系统中发挥重要的调节功能。催产素不仅可以调节人和动物的社会行为,它还通过瘦素诱导的信号通路调控食欲和脂肪代谢;催产素分泌失调可同时引发精神类疾病和代谢类疾病。催产素已经被应用于精神类疾病以及肥胖、糖尿病等代谢类疾病的研究和临床治疗中,进一步研究催产素的功能是揭示这些疾病作用机制的重要途径。     

哺乳动物冷应激的主要神经内分泌反应

为便于了解哺乳动物冷应激生理变化的调节机理,介绍了冷应激的主要神经内分泌反应。控制冷应激反应的主要中枢位于下丘脑。冷应激激活交感神经系统,激活下丘脑－垂体－甲状腺轴和下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺轴激素的合成和分泌,引起肾上腺髓质儿茶酚胺分泌增加;同时抑制促生长激素轴、促性腺轴、催乳激素轴的激素分泌。神经肽Y、瘦素、褪黑激素等多种神经肽和激素参与冷应激反应。     

大鼠催产素是一种应激激素

在雌性哺乳类动物,催产素在泌乳及分娩过程中起着十分重要的作用。雌、雄性哺乳类动物神经垂体催产素的浓度相同,但雄性动物催产素在生理条件下有什么重要作用还不清楚。Lang等的研究表明,大鼠催产素可能参与应激性反应。     

促黄体激素释放激素在大肠杆菌中的表达

促黄体激素释放激素(LRH)是动物下丘脑分泌的一种十肽,分子量为1180,通过调节脑垂体分泌LH和FSH以及直接作用于性腺发挥生理作用,在控制机体生长发育和性周期活动中具有重要作用。在畜牧业生产上,促黄体激素释放激素能有效诱导和加速排卵,促进发情,提高动物繁殖率,能有效治疗卵巢囊肿。目前生产普遍使用化学合成的LRH类似物,但成本高。如果能人工表达LRH,将会在畜牧业     

Human osteoclasts express oxytocin receptor

Increasing evidences demonstrated many new targets for the hypothalamic hormone oxytocin, as the regulation of food balance and in some cases of leptin secretion. Considering that leptin is a potent inhibitor of bone formation and that oxytocin receptors (OTR) were detected in normal human osteoblasts, we investigated if OTR was expressed by human osteoclasts (hOCs) and the effect of the hormone on these cells. Here, we demonstrate by immunofluorescence and by Western blot analysis the expression of OTR by fully differentiated hOCs and by their precursors (pOCs). We also show that the receptor is functional, as OT treatment induces an increase of [Ca(2+)](i), and that the hormone may affect osteoclastogenesis, since it increases the number of pre-osteoclasts.     

Structural studies with weak oxytocin antagonists

Summary [Aib³,Thr⁵]OT, [Aib³,Thr(OMe)⁵]OT, [Aib³,Orn⁸]OT, [Thr(OMe)⁵,Orn⁸]OT and [Phe²,Thr(OMe)⁵,Orn⁸]OT were synthesized by solid-phase techniques. From the biological properties of these peptides, it seems that the simultaneous replacement of positions 3 and 5 of oxytocin with Aib and Thr(OMe) results in an analogue devoid of antagonistic activity in comparison with the singly substituted compounds. Simultaneous Orn⁸ substitution does the same in the case of the Aib³ analogue and even leads to agonistic activity in the case of the Thr(OMe)⁵ analogue. Replacement of Tyr² by Phe², e.g. [Phe²,Thr(OMe)⁵,Orn⁸]OT, again favors the appearance of minor antagonistic potency.     

Oxytocin in the rat caudate nucleus influences pain modulation

Our previous studies have demonstrated that oxytocin (OXT) in the central nervous system plays a role in pain modulation. Many studies have found that caudate nucleus (CdN) enriches OXT and OXT receptors by the methods of historadioautograph and gene expression. The communication was designed to investigate OXT effect in the rat CdN on pain modulation. The results showed that (1) intra-CdN microinjection of OXT receptor antagonist, desGly-NH₂, d(CH₂)₅[d-Tyr₂, Thr-sup-4]OVT decreased the pain threshold, whereas the local administration of OXT increased the pain threshold in a dose-dependent manner; (2) OXT receptor antagonist can attenuate the analgesic role induced intra-CdN administration of OXT; and (3) pain stimulation could increase OXT concentration in the CdN perfusion liquid. The data suggested that OXT in the CdN was involved in this pain process via OXT receptors.     

Oxytocin in the medial preoptic area facilitates male sexual behavior in the rat

Oxytocin (OT) is a versatile neuropeptide that is involved in a variety of mammalian behaviors, and its role in reproductive function and behavior has been well established. The majority of pharmacological studies of the effects of OT on male sexual behavior have focused on the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), ventral tegmental area (VTA), hippocampus, and amygdala. Less attention has been given to the medial preoptic area (MPOA), a major integrative site for male sexual behavior. The present study investigated the effects of intra-MPOA administration of OT and (d(CH2)51, Tyr(Me)2, Thr4, Orn8, Tyr-NH29)-vasotocin, an OT antagonist (OTA), on copulation in the male rat. The relationship between OT receptor (OTR) binding levels in the MPOA and sexual efficiency was also explored. Microinjection of OT into the MPOA facilitated copulation in sexually experienced male rats, whereas similar injections of an OTA inhibited certain aspects of copulation but had no significant effect on locomotor activity in an open field. Contrary to expectation, sexually efficient males had lower levels of OTR binding in the rostral MPOA compared to inefficient animals. The present data suggest that OT activity in the MPOA is not necessary for the expression of male sexual behavior but is sufficient to facilitate copulatory behaviors and improve sexual efficiency in sexually experienced male rats. These data also suggest that OTR activity in the MPOA stimulates anogenital investigation, facilitates the initiation of copulation, and plays a role in the sensitization effect of the first ejaculation on subsequent ejaculations.     

催产素及受体基因在抑郁症治疗中的潜在作用

抑郁症是一种以显著而持久的心境低落为主要特征的情感障碍,通常伴随情绪低落、意志活动减退、自杀观念和行为,给病人和亲属带来了极大的痛苦和负担。随着生活压力的增大,我国抑郁症的发病率呈现上升趋势。最近越来越多的研究表明,催产素及受体基因在抑郁症的防治中发挥着重要的作用。本文总结了近年来关于催产素及受体基因与抑郁症的研究进展,并提出催产素对抑郁症的潜在治疗机制,为抑郁症等精神疾病的发病机制及临床治疗等领域提供了新的研究方向。但目前的实验研究尚有不足,还需大量的临床实验和研究,来进一步明确其临床治疗机制,为抑郁症的防治提供新的依据。     

Dorsal medullary oxytocin, vasopressin, oxytocin antagonist, and TRH effects on gastric acid secretion and heart rate

Injections of oxytocin and TRH (11 picomoles), centered on the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, substantially increased gastric acid secretion. Additionally, oxytocin, but not TRH, simultaneously produced a consistent reduction in heart rate. Vasopressin injected into the same locus, at doses of 11 and 110 picomoles, had no effect on either function. Both the gastric and cardiac effects of oxytocin were eliminated by the central injections of oxytocin antagonist dEt₂Tyr(Et)Orn⁸Vasotocin (ETOV; 6 picomoles) or peripheral administration of atropine (300 μg/kg, IP). Application of oxytocin or TRH to the area postrema, at double the dosage (22 picomoles) yielded no consistent effects on either gastric secretion or heart rate. These findings indicate that oxytocin in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus may act as a regulator of vagally-mediated gastric and cardiovascular functions while TRH effects, in this medullary area, seem limited to the regulation of gastric function.     

Oxytocin in obsessive compulsive disorder

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with syntocinon (oxytocin) was carried out in 12 patients, nine females and three males with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Patients were treated by intranasal administration of oxytocin spray (18 IU per day) or placebo. No reductions in the number of obsessions or compulsive behaviors were observed in either treatment group. To evaluate whether a higher dosage would exert more beneficial effects, two additional patients were treated with a threefold higher dosage of oxytocin using an open design. In one patient a slight reduction in the number of checking rituals was observed, whereas in the other patient virtually no effect was observed. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that oxytocin might be a potential anticompulsive agent.     

Design and optimization of potent, selective antagonists of Oxytocin

A novel series of Oxytocin antagonists are described. This series was identified through pharmacophoric overlap of in-house and literature antagonists. Subsequent optimization led to a series of potent, selective antagonists. Several analogues displayed oral bioavailability in vivo in the rat.     

Intravenous administration of oxytocin in rats acutely decreases deprivation-induced chow intake,but it fails to affect consumption of palatable solutions

Despite its limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, peripherally administered oxytocin (OT) acutely decreases food intake, most likely via the brainstem and hypothalamic mechanisms. Studies performed to date have focused mainly on the effects of subcutaneous or intraperitoneal OT on the consumption of only solid calorie-dense diets (either standard or high-fat), whereas it is unknown whether, similarly to central OT, peripherally administered peptide reduces intake of calorie-dilute and non-caloric palatable solutions. In this project, we established that 0.1 μg/kg intravenous (IV) OT is the lowest anorexigenic dose, decreasing deprivation-induced standard chow intake by ca. 40% in rats and its effect does not stem from aversion. We then used this dose in paradigms in which effects of centrally acting OT ligands on consumption of palatable solutions had been previously reported. We found that IV OT did not change episodic intake of individually presented palatable solutions containing 10% sucrose, 0.1% saccharin, combined 10% sucrose-0.1% saccharin or 4.1%. Intralipid and it failed to affect daily scheduled consumption of a sucrose solution in non-deprived rats. In a two-bottle choice test, IV OT did not shift animals’ preference from sucrose to Intralipid. Finally, OT injected IV prior to the simultaneous presentation chow and a sucrose solution in food-deprived rats significantly decreased chow intake, whereas sugar water consumption remained unchanged. We conclude that IV OT reduces deprivation-induced chow intake without causing aversion, but the dose effective in decreasing energy-driven consumption of high-calorie food fails to affect consumption of palatable calorie-dilute solutions.