title: Nonsocial functions of hypothalamic oxytocin.
abstract: Oxytocin (OXT) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide composed of nine amino acids. The functions of OXT cover a variety of social and nonsocial activity/behaviors. Therapeutic effects of OXT on aberrant social behaviors are attracting more attention, such as social memory, attachment, sexual behavior, maternal behavior, aggression, pair bonding, and trust. The nonsocial behaviors/functions of brain OXT have also received renewed attention, which covers brain development, reproduction, sex, endocrine, immune regulation, learning and memory, pain perception, energy balance, and almost all the functions of peripheral organ systems. Coordinating with brain OXT, locally produced OXT also involves the central and peripheral actions of OXT. Disorders in OXT secretion and functions can cause a series of aberrant social behaviors, such as depression, autism, and schizophrenia as well as disturbance of nonsocial behaviors/functions, such as anorexia, obesity, lactation failure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and carcinogenesis. As more and more OXT functions are identified, it is essential to provide a general view of OXT functions in order to explore the therapeutic potentials of OXT. In this review, we will focus on roles of hypothalamic OXT on central and peripheral nonsocial functions.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
authors: Hai-Peng
authors: HP
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
authors: Liwei
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Medical Imaging and Diagnostics, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang 157011, China.
authors: Liqun
authors: L
authors: Han
authors: Louisiana State University Medical School, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103-4228, USA.
authors: Stephani C
authors: SC
authors: Wang