Does activation of oxytocinergic reward circuits postpone the decline of the aging brain?

Oxytocin supports reproduction by promoting sexual- and nursing behavior. Moreover, it stimulates reproductive organs by different avenues. Oxytocin is released to the blood from terminals of oxytocinergic neurons which project from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

Oxytocin Release: A Remedy for Cerebral Inflammaging.

Oxytocin facilitates reproduction both by physiological and behavioral mechanisms. Oxytocinergic neurons emerging from the hypothalamus release oxytocin from the pituitary gland to the blood by axonal discharge to regulate reproductive organs. However, at the same time, oxytocin is secreted into neighboring areas of the hypothalamus from the dendrites of these neurons.

Can intravenous oxytocin infusion counteract hyperinflammation in COVID-19 infected patients?

Objectives: Based on its well-documented anti-inflammatory and restorative properties we propose trials with the natural hormone oxytocin for treatment of hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

Methods: We searched for, retrieved, and commented on specific literature regarding multiple functions of oxytocin with a special focus on its modulation of inflammatory, immune, and restorative functions.

Results: Available data gathered in animals and humans support the anti-inflammatory properties of oxytocin.

Oxytocin, A Possible Treatment for Covid-19? Everything to Gain, Nothing to Lose.

After comparing the morbidity patterns of COVID-19 infections, variations of oxytocin levels and some properties of the neurohormone oxytocin, the authors put forward their hypothesis that oxytocin might constitute a safe, inexpensive and readily available treatment for this disease.

Oxytocin may have a therapeutical potential against cardiovascular disease. Possible pharmaceutical and behavioral approaches.

Based on the ancient role of oxytocin and its homologues as amplifiers of reproduction we argue for an evolutionary coupling of oxytocin to signaling pathway which support restorative mechanisms of cells and tissue. In particular, the survival and function of different categories of stem cells and primordial cells are enhanced by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Furthermore, oxytocin stimulates the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway (AMPK) in numerous of cell types which promotes the maintenance of different cell structures.

Possible role of adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in mediating the favorable effects of lower body fat mass on blood lipids.

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of insulin sensitivity and serum adiponectin concentration as determinants, in middle-aged men, of the relationship between lower body fat and blood lipids after truncal fat has been accounted for.

Methods: Men (443) aged 39-65 yr, body mass index 18-43 kg/m(2), participated in the study. The following variables were measured: regional body fat distribution as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, maximal oxygen uptake, physical activity, fasting levels of serum adiponectin, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein- and total cholesterol.

The appetite-suppressant effect of nicotine is enhanced by caffeine.

Aim: To test whether the anorectic effect of nicotine may be amplified by caffeine.

Methods: Chewing gums with nicotine and caffeine were administered to 12 healthy young men of normal weight. Different combinations of 0, 1 or 2 mg of nicotine and 0, 50 or 100 mg of caffeine were applied during a 2-h period in a randomized, double blind, cross over design.

The N363S polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor and metabolic syndrome factors in men.

Objective: To test the associations between the N363S polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and factors related to the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men with and without juvenile-onset obesity.

Research Methods And Procedures: This study included two groups of middle-aged men, who were originally identified at 20 years of age at the draft boards. One group (n = 208; age, 48 +/- 6 years) was selected on the basis of juvenile-onset obesity (BMI > or = 31 kg/m(2)).

Lower-body fat mass as an independent marker of insulin sensitivity--the role of adiponectin.

Aims: To study the association between lower-body fat and estimates of whole-body insulin sensitivity in middle-aged men with and without a history of juvenile onset obesity, and to determine the possible mediating role of fasting serum adiponectin level as an insulin-sensitizing peptide.

Methods: A total of 401 men aged 39-65 y, body mass index 18-54 kg/m2, participated in the study. The following variables were measured on the study participants: regional body fat distribution as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, abdominal sagittal diameter, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), physical activity, fasting and post-glucose load levels of plasma glucose, serum insulin, and blood non-esterified fatty acid plus fasting levels of serum adiponectin and HbA1c.

Effects of trans- and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy males. An 8 weeks dietary intervention study.

Background: Studies of long-term intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) suggest opposite effects on cardiovascular disease risk. Common mechanisms of action are probable.

Objective: To examine the effects on cardiovascular risk markers of dietary enrichment with TFA or n-3 PUFA.

The effect of wine or beer versus a carbonated soft drink, served at a meal, on ad libitum energy intake.

Background: Alcoholic beverage drinking may increase total energy intake at a meal by various mechanisms and this effect may depend on the sort of beverage.

Objective: To test the effect of wine, beer and a soft drink served with a normal meal on food and total energy intake in non-obese men.

Design: A supper meal consisting of three consecutive dishes was presented to 22 young men.

Low-fat diets and energy balance: how does the evidence stand in 2002?

The role of high-fat diets in weight gain and obesity is assessed by evidence-based principles. Four meta-analyses of weight change occurring on ad libitum low-fat diets in intervention trials consistently demonstrate a highly significant weight loss of 3-4 kg in normal-weight and overweight subjects (P < 0.001).

Alcohol drinking and cardiac risk.

The present paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to the impact of alcohol intake on cardiovascular disease. Both cross-sectional and prospective studies have disclosed a negative association between moderate intake of alcoholic beverages and cardiovascular disease. The relationship appears to be present for both wine, beer and spirits.

Leptin levels are associated with fat oxidation and dietary-induced weight loss in obesity.

Objective: To examine the relationship between fasting plasma leptin and 24-hour energy expenditure (EE), substrate oxidation, and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) in obese subjects before and after a major weight reduction compared with normal weight controls. To test fasting plasma leptin, substrate oxidations, and SPA as predictive markers of success during a standardized weight loss intervention.

Research Methods And Procedures: Twenty-one nondiabetic obese (body mass index: 33.

The role of postprandial releases of insulin and incretin hormones in meal-induced satiety--effect of obesity and weight reduction.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that the secretion of the intestinal satiety hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is attenuated in obese subjects.

Objective: To compare meal-induced response of GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in obese and lean male subjects, to investigate the effect of a major weight reduction in the obese subjects, and to look for an association between these hormones and ad libitum food intake.

Method: Plasma concentrations of intestinal hormones and appetite sensations were measured prior to, and every 30 min for 180 min after, ingestion of a 2.

The association between the val/ala-55 polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 2 gene and exercise efficiency.

Background: Energy expenditure may partly be determined by genetic variations in uncoupling proteins. We have previously found an increased physical activity but a similar 24-h energy expenditure (EE) in subjects with the val/val-55 UCP2 genotype compared to those with the ala/ala genotype which indicates that the val-55 allele is statistically associated with a higher metabolic efficiency.

Design: EE during bicycling was determined by indirect calorimetry at three different loads (30, 40 and 60% of VO2max in eight subjects with the val/val-55 genotype (35+/-6 y weight=76.

Effects of the two beta3-agonists, ZD7114 and ZD2079 on 24 hour energy expenditure and respiratory quotient in obese subjects.

Objective: To analyze the effect of two different beta3-adrenoceptor agonists, ZD7114 and ZD2079 on 24h energy expenditure (EE) and substrate oxidations in obese weight-stable subjects.

Design: Measurements of 24 h EE in a respiration chamber, before and after 14 days of treatment with one of the two beta3-agonists or placebo during weight maintenance.

Subjects: ZD7114 study: 7 male and 15 female subjects, body mass index (BMI) 28-39 kg/m2, age 27-64 y; ZD2079 study: 10 male and 7 female subjects, BMI 27-39 kg/m2, age 31-60 y.

Effects of oral D-tagatose, a stereoisomer of D-fructose, on liver metabolism in man as examined by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

D-tagatose, which is a stereoisomer of D-fructose, is phosphorylated to D-tagatose-1-phosphate by fructokinase in the liver. Because of a slow degradation rate of D-tagatose-1-phosphate, this substance may accumulate, and ingested D-tagatose may therefore cause a longer lasting reduction in inorganic phosphate (Pi) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in the liver compared with D-fructose. Similar to what is seen in patients with hereditary fructose intolerance, this may increase purine nucleotide degradation and thereby increase uric acid production.

The acute effect of D-tagatose on food intake in human subjects.

A double-blind randomized crossover study was performed with nineteen normal-weight men to investigate the effect on subsequent ad libitum food intake of replacing 29 g sucrose with 29 g D-tagatose as sweetener to a breakfast meal. D-Tagatose is a malabsorbed stereoisomer of fructose with potential application as a bulk sweetener. Food intake was measured at lunch offered 4 h after the breakfast meal, during the afternoon with access to abundant snacks, and finally at a supper buffet 9 h after the breakfast.

D-tagatose, a stereoisomer of D-fructose, increases blood uric acid concentration.

D-Fructose has been found to increase uric acid production by accelerating the degradation of purine nucleotides, probably due to hepatocellular depletion of inorganic phosphate (Pi) by an accumulation of ketohexose-1-phosphate. The hyperuricemic effect of D-tagatose, a stereoisomer of D-fructose, may be greater than that of D-fructose, as the subsequent degradation of D-tagatose-1-phosphate is slower than the degradation of D-fructose-1-phosphate. We tested the effect of 30 g oral D-tagatose versus D-fructose on plasma uric acid and other metabolic parameters in 8 male subjects by a double-blind crossover design.

Effect of obesity and major weight reduction on gastric emptying.

Background: An enhanced gastric emptying rate might reduce the satiating effect of food and thereby promote obesity. Gastric emptying rate has previously been compared between obese and lean subjects with conflicting outcome.

Objective: Comparison of gastric emptying rate in lean and obese subjects before and after a major weight reduction.