Oxytocin interference in the effects induced by inhalation of 7.5% CO2 in healthy volunteers

Author(s)

Gomes de Oliveira, Danielle Chaves ^{[1, 2]} ; Chagas, Marcos Hortes N. ^{[1, 2]} ; Garcia, Luis Vicente ^[3] ; Crippa, Jose Alexandre S. ^{[1, 2]} ; Zuardi, Antonio W. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Neurosci & Behav, BR-14048900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Natl Inst Translac Med, CNPq, INCT TM, BR-14048900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Discipline Anesthesiol, BR-14048900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL; v. 27, n. 4, p. 378-385, JUL 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the acute effect of intranasally administered oxytocin (OT) on subjective states, cardiovascular, and endocrine parameters in healthy volunteers who inhaled 7.5% CO2. Methods Forty-five subjects were allocated into three matched groups of subjects who received 24?international units (IU) of OT, 2?mg of lorazepam (LZP), or placebo (PL). The challenge consisted of medical air inhalation for 20?min, 10?min of rest, and CO2 7.5% inhalation for 20?min. Subjective effects were evaluated by self-assessment scales; heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, and salivary cortisol were also measured. Assessments were performed at four time points: (i) baseline (-15?min); (ii) post-air inhalation (90?min); (iii) post-CO2 inhalation (120?min), and (iv) post-test (160?min). Results CO2 inhalation significantly increased the anxiety score in the PL group compared with the post-air measurement but not in the OT or LZP groups. The LZP reduced anxiety after medical air inhalation. Other parameters evaluated were not affected by OT. Conclusion OT, as well as LZP, prevented CO2-induced anxiety, suggesting that this hormone has anxiolytic properties. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/03685-3 - Typical and atypical neurotransmitters in neuropsychiatric disorders
• Grantee: Francisco Silveira Guimaraes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants