Oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei bidirectionally modulate food intake.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide produced in the paraventricular (PVH) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei of the hypothalamus. Either peripheral or central OT administration reduces food intake through reductions in meal size. However, pharmacological approaches do not differentiate whether OT's influence on food intake is mediated by OT neurons located in the PVH vs. the SON. Here we address this gap using both gain- and loss-of-function approaches targeting OT neurons.

Methods

OT neuron-specific designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were targeted in either the PVH or SON in rats, thus allowing for evaluation of caloric intake following selective activation of OT neurons separately in each nucleus. To examine the physiological role of disti

SUBMITTER: Rea JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12356352 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature