Yegen, Berrak Ç. Marmara University - Schoolof Medicine - Department of Physiology, Turkey

Oxytocin and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis

18692

Upon exposure to different types of stressors, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses that include the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are given to allow the individuals to cope with stress conditions. It was proven that oxytocin, a nonapeptide released from the posterior pituitary, has behavioral and stress-attenuating effects by dampening HPA activity. On the other hand, the neuropeptide was also shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects through the modulation of immune and inflammatory processes in several experimental models of tissue injury. The findings of recent studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of oxytocin depends on its role on HPA axis activity and subsequent release of cortisol. Thus, oxytocin seems to restrain the activity within the HPA-axis, which becomes overactive during many inflammatory processes.

61

stress , oxidative stress , HPA axis , oxytocin

Journal of Research in Pharmacy

66