Effect of pharmacological doses of oxytocin on insulin response to glucose in normal man.

In this study we have examined the effect of the administration of oxytocin on basal blood concentrations of insulin, glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone, and on the dynamic secretory response of these hormones to intravenous glucose administration (0.33 g/kg) in basal condition and after the injection of 3 IU (1 plus 2 IU/1 h) or 6 IU (2 plus 4 IU/1 h) of oxytocin (6 subjects for each group). The highest dose of oxytocin (6 IU) used significantly increased insulin secretion in response to intravenously administered glucose. No significant change of insulin secretion was observed with 3 IU of oxytocin. Glucagon, cortisol, and growth hormone response to intravenous injection of glucose was not affected by oxytocin (3 or 6 IU) administration. These results suggest that high doses of oxytocin affect beta-cell function in normal man.