Is weight status associated with peripheral levels of oxytocin? A pilot study in healthy women.

Publication date: Available online 17 October 2019Source: Physiology & BehaviorAuthor(s): Janelle A Skinner, Manohar L Garg, Christopher V Dayas, Tracy L BurrowsABSTRACTThe neuropeptide oxytocin is best known for its role during parturition and the milk-let down reflex. Recent evidence identifies a role for oxytocin in eating behaviour. After oxytocin administration, caloric intake is reduced with stronger inhibitory effects in individuals with obesity. Whether the experience of visual food cues affects secretion or circulating levels of oxytocin is unknown. This pilot study had three aims: 1) to measure fasting appetite hormones with a focus on plasma oxytocin concentrations; 2) determine whether healthy vs. hyperpalatable visual food cues differentially altered plasma oxytocin; and 3) assess whether appetite hormone responses to healthy vs. hyperpalatable food images depended on weight or food addiction status. Eighteen healthy women of varying weight status, with/without self-reported food addiction were recruited. Study participants completed a set of standardised questionnaires, including Yale Food Addiction Scale, and attended a one-off experimental session. Blood was collected before and after viewing two sets of food images (healthy and hyperpalatable foods). Participants were randomly allocated in a crossover design to view either healthy images or hyperpalatable foods first. A positive correlation between BMI and plasma oxytocin was found (r2=0.32, p=0.021) at basel...
Source: Physiology and Behavior - Category: Physiology Source Type: research