Abstract

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide with a peripheral role in reproduction, though it may have a central effect. The aim of the study is to verify its cental pathophysiological mechanisms on experimental rats. Rats were divided into control, OXT (which divided into intrathecal OXT and IV OXT subgroups), and antagonist group: OXT and l-glutamate Na⁺ subgroup with measuring of pain threshold, cardiovascular changes, and pain related mediators (OXT, serotonin, and dopamine) and histopathological examination. A significant increase of the pain threshold in rats was observed in intrathecal oxytocin subgroup. The response was absent in IV oxytocin subgroup The analgesic effect of OXT contributes to direct increase of OXT receptors maker in different brain areas and spinal cord and through glutamergic pathway. Besides, OXT induces significant increase in the levels of neurotransmitters related to the pain in serum and brain homogenate of this experimental study. Administration of OXT can counterbalance the pain troubles without major detectable detrimental effects on cardiovascular system.

Key words: Oxytocin (OXT), neuropeptide, cardiovascular system, glutamergic pathway, serotonin and dopamine.