Oxytocin 10mg

It can be seen as a dual-purpose protein, serving distinct natural functions. Firstly, it functions as a neuropeptide originating from the hypothalamus, playing crucial roles in processes like bonding, sexual reproduction, and childbirth. Additionally, it acts as a standard hormone in the bloodstream, primarily produced by the placenta in pregnant women, influencing childbirth, milk production, and the connection formed with newborns. In men, a small quantity of oxytocin is generated in the testes, contributing to mating behavior and the establishment of pair bonds. Research has uncovered oxytocin’s involvement in several important functions, including:

1. Facilitating milk ejection and lactation
2. Promoting uterine contractions during childbirth
3. Regulating blood pressure
4. Modulating neuron function
5. Facilitating social bonding
6. Influencing fear and anxiety levels
7. Affecting mood
8. Assisting in wound healing.

Oxytocin, a brief peptide consisting of only nine amino acids, originates in the hypothalamus and is discharged from the posterior pituitary. It’s also generated by the placenta, ovaries, and testes. Similar to numerous peptide hormones, oxytocin originates from a substantially larger precursor molecule, which is subsequently cleaved to form the active hormone. Intriguingly, It has been detected in the retina, adrenal glands, thymus, and pancreas as well. While it has traditionally been considered a neurohypophysial hormone, this viewpoint is progressively being reconsidered, as the potential effects of this peptide extend to various tissues.

Oxytocin in Wound Healing

It has the ability to regulate inflammation by influencing specific inflammatory cytokines. An intriguing study involving 37 couples investigated wound healing rates and revealed that social interactions leading to elevated oxytocin levels directly correlated with an accelerated pace of wound healing. Notably, a higher level was associated with a greater rate of wound healing. Similar research has demonstrated that hostility within interpersonal relationships, especially among couples, can significantly decrease wound healing rates by up to 40%. Additionally, these couples exhibit reduced levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-1beta at the wound site.

Comparison of time to escape a maze in male (A) and female (B) mice under stress. Oxytocin returns escape latency to near the same levels of controls, apparently offsetting some of the learning deficits caused by stress.
Source: PubMed

Studying Oxytocin in Cardiovascular Risk

Given its potential to enhance wound healing rates and modulate inflammatory cytokines, researchers have hypothesized that oxytocin may have a protective role in preserving the health of the heart and vascular system. This peptide has demonstrated the ability to reduce fat mass, improve glucose tolerance, lower blood pressure, and alleviate anxiety, all of which are critical factors in cardiovascular disease (CVD). This leads to the reasonable notion that oxytocin could serve as a valuable supplementary treatment alongside existing approaches for CVD management.

Furthermore, compelling evidence suggests that atherosclerosis development, under certain conditions, can be linked to the suppression of the It’s receptor. Raising oxytocin levels in individuals with reduced receptor density appears to help maintain cardiovascular integrity, and in some instances, even reverse atherosclerosis.

Research conducted in rats has indicated that administering it directly into the heart during ischemic events (such as heart attacks) can provide protection to cardiomyocytes, the heart’s muscle cells. Chronic oxytocin treatment, as proposed by Jankoski et al., may prevent the late-term onset of dilated cardiomyopathy and has the potential to precondition cardiac stem cells, aiding in tissue regeneration through various mechanisms.

Additional insights from mouse studies reveal that oxytocin treatment can mitigate heart damage associated with diabetes. In these mice, oxytocin reduced body fat accumulation by 19% and lowered fasting glucose levels by 23%, primarily through reductions in insulin resistance. This treatment resulted in less systolic and diastolic dysfunction compared to controls, leading to decreased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis.

Remarkably, oxytocin appears to protect against ischemic injuries in various tissues, suggesting that its effects may extend beyond heart tissue. Research involving rats with priapism (persistent erection) demonstrates that oxytocin administration can shield against ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing nitric oxide levels.

Diabetes Management

Oxytocin is believed to enhance glucose uptake by skeletal muscles through the promotion of insulin sensitivity, making it a potentially valuable tool in diabetes treatment. Additionally, research conducted in mice has unveiled crucial roles played by oxytocin in lipid utilization, leading to reductions in overall body fat mass and rates of dyslipidemia. Notably, deficiencies in oxytocin have been shown to trigger obesity, even in cases where food intake and exercise activity remain normal, indicating that this peptide plays pivotal roles in maintaining energy homeostasis.

Interestingly, studies in both lean and obese mice have revealed that oxytocin treatment doesn’t affect glucose, insulin, or body composition in lean mice. It appears to impact these parameters only in obese mice, suggesting that while the peptide proves useful in addressing specific aspects of diabetes, it may not be equally suitable for all scenarios.

It seems that it has distinct effects in the presence of diabetes compared to its effects in the absence of the disease. In a study involving patients with diabetes, intranasal oxytocin led to reduced glucose and insulin levels, resulting in a weight loss of 9 kg over an eight-week trial period. According to Barengolts, “circulating oxytocin is lower in type 2 diabetes patients compared to normoglycemic subjects and is negatively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin A1C and insulin resistance.”

Cognitive Performance

It has been widely acknowledged that early maternal deprivation can lead to enduring cognitive and behavioral changes with lifelong implications. Mouse studies suggest that this effect is likely linked to alterations in oxytocin levels resulting from diminished parental bonding. In one particular study, mice subjected to maternal deprivation, but subsequently treated with oxytocin, exhibited enhanced hormone levels associated with neuron development in the prefrontal cortex.

While no significant overall difference in behavior was observed, there was a trend indicating that the group receiving oxytocin showed better cognitive performance. Other research in mice has yielded similar findings, indicating that intranasal oxytocin administration resulted in improved learning, although the statistical significance of this effect was not reached, particularly in the context of stress.

Comparison of time to escape a maze in male (A) and female (B) mice under stress. Oxytocin returns escape latency to near the same levels of controls, apparently offsetting some of the learning deficits caused by stress.
Source: PubMed

Oxytocin Research and Anxiety

A substantial body of evidence points to a potential connection between oxytocin and anxiety and depression. Research indicates that genetic variations in the oxytocin receptor gene can contribute to the development of social anxiety disorder and attachment issues in childhood. In a study involving untreated individuals with social anxiety, epigenetic changes in the oxytocin receptor were also observed, suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism to counteract pathologically reduced oxytocin levels. This implies that social anxiety might, at least partially, arise from diminished oxytocin signaling.

Furthermore, oxytocin dysregulation has recently been associated with an extreme form of social anxiety disorder known as borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is characterized by heightened vigilance toward threats, intense mistrust, and altered non-verbal social behavior.

Administration of intranasal oxytocin to individuals with BPD has shown promising modifications in these behaviors. Given that BPD is notoriously challenging to treat and has significant short- and long-term effects on quality of life, gaining even a partial understanding of the underlying pathology leading to this condition could set researchers on the path to improving the lives of millions.

Oxytocin Research and Hunger

Investigation into Prader-Willi syndrome, a disorder characterized by uncontrollable appetite, has uncovered that a significant portion of the underlying pathology stems from an elevated suppression of oxytocin signaling, surpassing typical levels. This finding provides compelling indications that oxytocin is involved in the regulation of the hunger state, and it may even directly impact feeding behavior.

Oxytocin and Old Muscle

A recent discovery highlights the essential role of oxytocin in maintaining and repairing healthy muscles, and it suggests that the decline in oxytocin signaling with aging contributes, at least partially, to age-related muscle wasting (sarcopenia). The research, conducted at Berkeley, reveals that as blood oxytocin levels decrease with age, the number of oxytocin receptors on muscle stem cells also diminishes. Remarkably, administering oxytocin can reverse this effect within days, enabling muscles to regain much of their potential for healing.

This finding is significant since the breakdown and repair process is a natural mechanism for maintaining and building muscle. According to Elabd, one of the research authors, “muscle repair in the old mice was at about 80 percent” of what was observed in younger mice following oxytocin administration. There is optimism that oxytocin could offer a meaningful approach to intervene in age-related organ degeneration and consequently slow down dysfunction.

It’s essential to note that it exhibits minimal side effects, possesses low oral availability, and demonstrates excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. However, the dosage per kilogram in mice doesn’t directly scale to humans. Oxytocin available for purchase at Peptide Shop is strictly intended for educational and scientific research purposes, and it is not intended for human consumption. It should only be acquired by licensed researchers.

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. Logan, M.D. Dr. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Dr. Gouin, a clinical psychologist, holds a Canada Research Chair in Chronic Stress and Health and leads the Stress, Interpersonal Relationships, and Health Laboratory. His research program investigates the impact of chronic stress on health and well-being. Specifically, they examine risk and resiliency psychosocial processes (rumination, interpersonal relationship quality & sleep quality) impacting the negative psychological and physiological consequences of cumulative and chronic exposure to social and environmental stressors over the life course.

In this context, they are particularly interested in dyadic coping, how spouse work together to deal with the stresses that both partners are facing and how spouses influence each other in terms of emotional responses, health behaviors, and physiology. They are also interested in identifying neurophysiological indicators of sensitivity to the social environment and vulnerability to stress, with a particular emphasis on oxytocin and heart rate variability. The overarching goal of these experimental, longitudinal and treatment studies is to develop and optimize psychosocial interventions to improve resilience to chronic stress.

Dr. Gouin is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of Oxytocin. In no way is this doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between Peptide Shop and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide.

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The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body.  These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease.  Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.