Oxytocin Signaling Pathway: From Cell Biology To Clinical Implications

In addition to the well known role played on lactation and parturition, Oxytocin (OT) and OT receptor (OTR) are involved in many other aspects such as the control of maternal and social behavior, the regulation of the growth of the neocortex, the maintenance of blood supply to the cortex, the stimulation of limbic olfactory area to mother-infant recognition bond, and the modulation of the autonomic nervous system via vagal pathway. Moreover, OT and OTR show anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-pain, antidiabetic, anti-dyslipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects.