Oxytocin and Food Intake Control: Neural, Behavioral, and Signaling Mechanisms

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Emily E. Noble¹  Mai O. Spaulding¹  Jessica J. Rea²  Clarissa M. Liu²  Scott E. Kanoski² 

[1] Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606, USA;Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;

关键词: oxytocin;    obesity;    reward;    satiation;    meal size;    energy balance;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms221910859

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The neuropeptide oxytocin is produced in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. In addition to its extensively studied influence on social behavior and reproductive function, central oxytocin signaling potently reduces food intake in both humans and animal models and has potential therapeutic use for obesity treatment. In this review, we highlight rodent model research that illuminates various neural, behavioral, and signaling mechanisms through which oxytocin’s anorexigenic effects occur. The research supports a framework through which oxytocin reduces food intake via amplification of within-meal physiological satiation signals rather than by altering between-meal interoceptive hunger and satiety states. We also emphasize the distributed neural sites of action for oxytocin’s effects on food intake and review evidence supporting the notion that central oxytocin is communicated throughout the brain, at least in part, through humoral-like volume transmission. Finally, we highlight mechanisms through which oxytocin interacts with various energy balance-associated neuropeptide and endocrine systems (e.g., agouti-related peptide, melanin-concentrating hormone, leptin), as well as the behavioral mechanisms through which oxytocin inhibits food intake, including effects on nutrient-specific ingestion, meal size control, food reward-motivated responses, and competing motivations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown