PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Oxytocin supports reproduction by promoting sexual- and nursing behavior. Moreover, it stimulates reproductive organs by different avenues. Oxytocin is released to the blood from terminals of oxytocinergic neurons which project from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. Concomitantly, the dendrites of these neurons discharge oxytocin into neighboring areas of the hypothalamus. At this location it affects other neuroendocrine systems by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Moreover, sensory processing, affective functions, and reward circuits are influenced by oxytocinergic neurons that reach different sites in the brain. In addition to its facilitating impact on various aspects of reproduction, oxytocin is revealed to possess significant anti-inflammatory, restoring, and tranquilizing properties. This has been demonstrated both in many in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The oxytocin system may therefore have the capacity to alleviate detrimental physiological- and mental stress reactions. Thus, high levels of endogenous oxytocin may counteract inadequate inflammation and malfunctioning of neurons and supportive cells in the brain. A persistent low-grade inflammation increasing with age-referred to as inflammaging-may lead to a cognitive decline but may also predispose to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\'s and Parkinson. Interestingly, animal studies indicate that age-related destructive processes in the body can be postponed by techniques that preserve immune- and stem cell functions in the hypothalamus. It is argued in this article that sexual activity-by its stimulating impact on the oxytocinergic activity in many regions of the brain-has the capacity to delay the onset of age-related cerebral decay. This may also postpone frailty and age-associated diseases in the body. Finally, oxytocin possesses neuroplastic properties that may be applied to expand sexual reward. The release of oxytocin may therefore be further potentiated by learning processes that involves oxytocin itself. It may therefore be profitable to raise the consciousness about the potential health benefits of sexual activity particularly among the seniors.
摘要：
催产素通过促进性行为和护理行为来支持生殖。此外，它通过不同的途径刺激生殖器官。催产素从催产素能神经元的末端释放到血液中，这些神经元从下丘脑投射到垂体。同时，这些神经元的树突将催产素释放到下丘脑的邻近区域。在此位置，它通过自分泌和旁分泌机制影响其他神经内分泌系统。此外，感官加工，情感功能，和奖励回路受到到达大脑不同部位的催产素能神经元的影响。除了对生殖各个方面的促进作用外，催产素被发现具有显著的抗炎作用，恢复,和镇静性能。这已经在许多体内和体外研究中得到证实。因此，催产素系统可能具有减轻有害的生理和精神压力反应的能力。因此，高水平的内源性催产素可能会抵消炎症不足以及大脑中神经元和支持细胞的功能障碍。随着年龄的增长，持续的低度炎症-被称为炎症-可能导致认知能力下降，但也可能导致神经退行性疾病，如阿尔茨海默氏症和帕金森氏症。有趣的是,动物研究表明，体内与年龄相关的破坏性过程可以通过保留下丘脑免疫和干细胞功能的技术来推迟。本文认为，性活动-通过对大脑许多区域的催产素能活动的刺激作用-具有延迟与年龄相关的脑衰变发作的能力。这也可能推迟身体虚弱和与年龄相关的疾病。最后,催产素具有神经可塑性，可用于扩大性奖励。因此,催产素的释放可以通过涉及催产素本身的学习过程而进一步增强。因此，提高对性活动的潜在健康益处的意识可能是有益的，特别是在老年人中。
