Lippert Theodor H, Mueck Alfred O, Seeger Harald, Pfaff Andreas
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Horm Res. 2003;60(6):262-71. doi: 10.1159/000074243.
For a long time, oxytocin was regarded as a pregnancy hormone released by the hypophysis to stimulate labour and milk ejection. In the present survey, data have been collected from the literature to show the spectrum of the hitherto known functions of oxytocin outside pregnancy. It is now known that oxytocin receptors can occur almost ubiquitously in the organism, that oxytocin is also formed outside of the brain and that oxytocin has functions in a number of organs. In the first part of the survey, stimuli that contribute to an increase in oxytocin release are compiled. In the second part, details are given on the individual oxytocin targets. Although the majority of findings are based on the results of animal experiments, there are already a number of studies that indicate similar effects of oxytocin in humans. According to the current state of knowledge, oxytocin appears to be involved in functions in the following organs: male and non-pregnant female reproductive tract, pancreas, cardiovascular system, kidney, brain and breast. There are indications that oxytocin may also have actions in other organs. There continues to be a considerable need for research into oxytocin in order to better understand the physiological and pathophysiological actions and to be able to derive possible therapeutic uses. Further light on the spectrum of functions of oxytocin may be cast by the possibility of the use of oxytocin antagonists.
长期以来，催产素被视为由垂体释放的一种妊娠激素，用于刺激分娩和排乳。在本次综述中，已从文献中收集数据，以展示催产素在妊娠以外迄今已知的功能范围。现在已知催产素受体几乎可在机体中普遍存在，催产素也在脑外合成，且催产素在多个器官中发挥作用。在综述的第一部分，汇总了导致催产素释放增加的刺激因素。在第二部分，详细介绍了各个催产素作用靶点。尽管大多数研究结果基于动物实验，但已有多项研究表明催产素在人类中具有类似作用。根据目前的知识水平，催产素似乎参与以下器官的功能：男性和未孕女性生殖道、胰腺、心血管系统、肾脏、脑和乳腺。有迹象表明催产素在其他器官中可能也有作用。为了更好地理解其生理和病理生理作用并能够推导可能的治疗用途，对催产素的研究仍有相当大的需求。使用催产素拮抗剂的可能性可能会进一步揭示催产素的功能范围。
