Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01178 (oxytocin)
 15,767 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Yawning is one of the most under-appreciated behaviors. It is a stereotyped and often repetitive motor act, characterized by gaping of the mouth accompanied by a long inspiration, a brief acme followed by a short expiration. The vigor of the act may increase arousal. Although socially offensive to many, yawns often bring pleasure to the yawner. While influenced by several neurotransmitters, yawning is strongly affected by dopamine. Dopamine activates oxytocin production in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, oxytocin may then activate cholinergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus and the reticular formation of the brainstem. Acethylcholine induces yawning via the muscarinic receptors of effectors. Other neurotransmitters can modulate its occurence like serotonin, neuropeptides, hypocretin and sexual hormones. The decrease of yawning in the elderly suggests an associated decrease of dopaminergic activity. Yawning and stretching have related phylogenetic old origins. Ethologists agree that most vertebrates yawn. Yawning is morphologically similar in reptiles, birds, mammals and fishes. They may be ancestral vestiges surviving throughout evolution with little variation. In the human embryo, yawning occurs as early as 12 weeks after conception and remains relatively unchanged throughout life. Across the life span, night sleep undergoes several age-related modifications. Theses changes concern sleep duration and the amount of REM and NREM sleep. We can describe, for the duration of REM sleep, a curvilinear trend with a steep descending slope in the last time of fetus life and the first year of life, a plateau level across childhood and adulthood, slowly lowering until age. A parallel curve demonstrates the similarity of the evolution of yawn's frequency and the amount of REM sleep. Thus, from ontogeny, phylogeny and this modelling approach emerges a pivotal link between yawning and REM sleep. Yawning is modified in some pathologies associated with aging.
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PMID:[Yawning: from birth to senescence]. 1655 17

Tachykinins are present in the pituitary gland and in brain areas involved in the control of the secretion of pituitary hormones. Tachykinins have been demonstrated to stimulate prolactin release acting directly on the anterior pituitary gland. These peptides have also been revealed to be able to act at the hypothalamic level, interacting with neurotransmitters and neuropeptides that have the potential to affect prolactin secretion. Tachykinins seem to act by stimulating or inhibiting the release of the factors that affect prolactin secretion. Among them, tachykinins have been demonstrated to stimulate oxytocin and vasopressin release, which in turn results in prolactin release. Tachykinins also potentiated the response to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and reinforced the action of glutamate, which in turn result in prolactin release. They have also been shown to interact with serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in the control of prolactin secretion. In addition, tachykinins have been shown to inhibit GABA release, a neurotransmitter with prolactin-release inhibiting effect. This inhibition may result in an increased prolactin secretion by removal of the GABA inhibition. On the other hand, tachykinins have also been shown to stimulate dopamine release by the hypothalamus, an action that results in an inhibition of prolactin release. Dopamine is a well known inhibitor of prolactin secretion. In conclusion, although tachykinins have been shown to have a predominantly stimulatory effect on prolactin secretion, especially at the pituitary level, under some circumstances they may also exert an inhibitory influence on prolactin release, by stimulating dopamine release at the hypothalamic level.
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PMID:Tachykinins and the control of prolactin secretion. 1693 Jul 71

Dopamine receptors have been identified in a number of organs and tissues, which include the central and peripheral nervous systems, various vascular beds, the heart, the gastrointestinal tract, and the kidney. Dopamine receptors are classified into D1- and D2- like subtypes based on their structure and pharmacology; during conditions of moderate sodium balance, more than 50% of renal sodium excretion is regulated by D1-like receptors. Most of the knowledge on the actions of dopamine has been focused on the D1 dopamine receptor. The D5 dopamine receptor also belongs to the D1- like receptor subfamily. Disruption of the D5 receptor results in hypertension. However, unlike the D1 receptor, the hypertension in D5 receptor null mice is caused by the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, apparently due to activation of oxytocin, V1 vasopressin, and non-NMDA receptors in the central nervous system. In this paper, we review the physiological action of D5 receptor on the central and peripheral nervous systems, and discuss the possible mechanisms by which hypertension develops when the D5 receptor function is perturbed.
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PMID:Regulation of blood pressure by D5 dopamine receptors. 1763 Sep 51

Use of plant and drug products to enhance lactation is widespread, and numerous papers have been published in the medical literature claiming efficacy for various products. This paper will review and evaluate the published literature on the most widely used pharmaceuticals that are used as galactagogues. Breastfeeding physiology is reviewed with the aim of creating a framework for understanding galactagogue pharmacology. Published articles were selected and evaluated using the principles of evidence-based medicine, and were also evaluated using the principles of good lactation management. Only three studies on oxytocin and seven studies on dopamine antagonists were found to be useful. Oxytocin is probably not useful as a galactagogue, except possibly in rare circumstances of tetraplegic mothers. Dopamine antagonists appear not to enhance milk supply if mothers are given good lactation support and employ these practices. The safety of the dopamine antagonists has not been adequately evaluated, so their use should be avoided unless other measures have failed.
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PMID:A critical review of pharmaceutical galactagogues. 1924 2

Dopamine plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension by regulating epithelial sodium transport and by interacting with vasoactive hormones/humoral factors, such as aldosterone, angiotensin, catecholamines, endothelin, oxytocin, prolactin pro-opiomelancortin, reactive oxygen species, renin, and vasopressin. Dopamine receptors are classified into D(1)-like (D(1) and D(5)) and D(2)-like (D(2), D(3), and D(4)) subtypes based on their structure and pharmacology. In recent years, mice deficient in one or more of the five dopamine receptor subtypes have been generated, leading to a better understanding of the physiological role of each of the dopamine receptor subtypes. This review summarizes the results from studies of various dopamine receptor mutant mice on the role of individual dopamine receptor subtypes and their interactions with other G protein-coupled receptors in the regulation of blood pressure.
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PMID:Dysregulation of dopamine-dependent mechanisms as a determinant of hypertension: studies in dopamine receptor knockout mice. 1808

Dopamine and oxytocin are two key neuromodulators involved in reproductive behaviours, such as mating and maternal care. Much evidence underlies their separate roles in such behaviours, but particularly in sexual behaviour. It is generally believed that central dopaminergic and oxytocinergic systems work together to regulate the expression of penile erection, but relatively little is known regarding how they interact. Thus, this review aims to discuss neuroanatomical proof, neuromodulator secretory profiles in the hypothalamus and behavioural pharmacological evidence which support a dopamine-oxytocin link in three hypothalamic nuclei that have been implicated in sexual behaviour, namely the medial preoptic nucleus, supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). We also aim to provide an overview of potential dopamine-mediated transduction pathways that occur within these nuclei and are correlated with the exhibition of penile erection. The PVN provides the most convincing evidence for a dopamine-oxytocin link and it is becoming increasingly apparent that parvocellular oxytocinergic neurons in the PVN, in part, mediate the effects of dopamine to elicit penile erection. However, while we show that oxytocin neurons express dopamine receptors, other evidence on whether dopaminergic activation of PVN oxytocin cells involves a direct and/or indirect mechanism is inconclusive and further evidence is required to establish whether the two systems interact synergistically or sequentially in the regulation of penile erection.
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PMID:Interactions between dopamine and oxytocin in the control of sexual behaviour. 1865 89

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bersama engleriana and its potential mechanism on fictive ejaculation in spinal male rats. The electromyographic activities of the bulbospongiosus muscles were recorded in spinal cord transected and urethane-anesthetized rats treated intravenously with aqueous (100 mg kg(-1)) and methanolic (100 mg kg(-1)) extracts from the dried leaves of B. engleriana in the absence and presence of dopamine (0.1 micromol kg(-1)) or oxytocin (0.5 UI kg(-1)). Mechanical stimulations of the urethra were also carried out 5 min after the sequential treatments. A single intravenous administration of aqueous (100 mg kg(-1)) and methanolic (100 mg kg(-1)) extracts of B. engleriana did not activate fictive ejaculation. The electromyography recorded after the application of the plant extract was similar to that obtained after intravenous saline injection (200 Gl min(-1)) with no contraction of the bulbospongiosus muscles. Dopamine (0.1 micromol kg(-1)) and oxytocin (0.5 UI kg(-1)) induced rapid rhythmic contractions (P < 0.001) of the bulbospongiosus muscles accompanied by penile erection and sometimes with expulsion of the seminal plugs. Pre-treatment of rats with the two plant extracts completely abolished the occurrence of ejaculation induced by dopamine (0.1 micromol kg(-1)) and oxytocin (0.5 UI kg(-1)). Mechanical stimulation of the urethra carried out 5 min after the sequential treatments always induced penile movements and erections. The inhibitory effect of B. engleriana extracts on the expression of fictive ejaculation in spinal male rat is mediated through dopaminergic and oxytocinergic pathways. This prolonged ejaculatory latency caused by B. engleriana could support its potential use in patients with rapid ejaculation.
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PMID:Evaluation of the excopula ejaculatory potentials of Bersama engleriana in spinal male rats. 1964 36

Dopamine and oxytocin have established roles in the central regulation of penile erection in rats; however, the neural circuitries involved in a specific erectile context and the interaction between dopamine and oxytocin mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The medial preoptic area (MPOA), supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus may serve as candidate sites because they contain oxytocin cells, receive dopaminergic inputs and have been implicated in mediating masculine sexual behavior. Double immunofluorescence revealed that substantial numbers of oxytocin cells in the MPOA, SON and PVN possess dopamine D(2), D(3) and D(4) receptors. In anaesthetized rats, using intracavernous pressure as a physiological indicator of erection, blockade of lumbosacral oxytocin receptors (UK, 427843) reduced erectile responses to a nonselective dopamine agonist (apomorphine), suggesting that dopamine recruits a paraventriculospinal oxytocin pathway. In conscious males in the absence of a female, penile erection elicited by a D(2)/D(3) (Quinelorane) but not D(4) (PD168077) agonist was associated with activation of medial parvocellular PVN oxytocin cells. In another experiment where males were given full access to a receptive female, a D(4) (L-745870) but not D(2) or D(3) antagonist (L-741626; nafadotride) inhibited penile erection (intromission), and this was correlated with SON magnocellular oxytocin neuron activation. Together, the data suggest dopamine's effects on hypothalamic oxytocin cells during penile erection are context-specific. Dopamine may act via different parvocellular and magnocellular oxytocin subpopulations to elicit erectile responses, depending upon whether intromission is performed. This study demonstrates the potential existence of interaction between central dopamine and oxytocin pathways during penile erection, with the SON and PVN serving as integrative sites.
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PMID:Dopamine-oxytocin interactions in penile erection. 2012 51

Dopamine is an important neuromodulator that exerts widespread effects on the central nervous system (CNS) function. Disruption in dopaminergic neurotransmission can have profound effects on mood and behavior and as such is known to be implicated in various neuropsychiatric behavioral disorders including autism and depression. The subsequent effects on other neurocircuitries due to dysregulated dopamine function have yet to be fully explored. Due to the marked social deficits observed in psychiatric patients, the neuropeptide, oxytocin is emerging as one particular neural substrate that may be influenced by the altered dopamine levels subserving neuropathologic-related behavioral diseases. Oxytocin has a substantial role in social attachment, affiliation and sexual behavior. More recently, it has emerged that disturbances in peripheral and central oxytocin levels have been detected in some patients with dopamine-dependent disorders. Thus, oxytocin is proposed to be a key neural substrate that interacts with central dopamine systems. In addition to psychosocial improvement, oxytocin has recently been implicated in mediating mesolimbic dopamine pathways during drug addiction and withdrawal. This bi-directional role of dopamine has also been implicated during some components of sexual behavior. This review will discuss evidence for the existence dopamine/oxytocin positive interaction in social behavioral paradigms and associated disorders such as sexual dysfunction, autism, addiction, anorexia/bulimia, and depression. Preliminary findings suggest that whilst further rigorous testing has to be conducted to establish a dopamine/oxytocin link in human disorders, animal models seem to indicate the existence of broad and integrated brain circuits where dopamine and oxytocin interactions at least in part mediate socio-affiliative behaviors. A profound disruption to these pathways is likely to underpin associated behavioral disorders. Central oxytocin pathways may serve as a potential therapeutic target to improve mood and socio-affiliative behaviors in patients with profound social deficits and/or drug addiction.
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PMID:Dopamine and oxytocin interactions underlying behaviors: potential contributions to behavioral disorders. 2055 68

Oxytocin is a potent inducer of penile erection when injected into the central nervous system. In male rats, the most sensitive brain area for the pro-erectile effect of oxytocin is the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. This nucleus and surrounding regions contain the cell bodies of all oxytocinergic neurons projecting to extra-hypothalamic brain areas and the spinal cord. This review shows that oxytocin induces penile erection also when injected in some of these areas (e.g., ventral tegmental area, ventral subiculum of the hippocampus, posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala and thoraco-lumbar spinal cord). Microinjection studies combined with intra-cerebral microdialysis and double immuno-fluorescence studies suggest that oxytocin in these areas activates directly or indirectly (mainly through glutamic acid) mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons. Dopamine released in the nucleus accumbens in turn activates neural pathways leading to the activation of incerto-hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus. This activates not only oxytocinergic neurons projecting to the spinal cord and mediating penile erection, but also those projecting to the above extra-hypothalamic areas, modulating directly or indirectly (through glutamic acid) the activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons controlling motivation and reward. Together these neural pathways may constitute a complex hypothetical circuit, which plays a role not only in the consummatory phase of sexual activity (erectile function and copulation), but also in the motivational and rewarding aspects of the anticipatory phase of sexual behaviour.
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PMID:Central control of penile erection: a re-visitation of the role of oxytocin and its interaction with dopamine and glutamic acid in male rats. 2105 Aug 72


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