Oxytocin is lower in African American men with diabetes and associates with psycho-social and metabolic health factors.

Abstract

ObjectiveRecently, it has been suggested that oxytocin (OT) has a role in metabolism and neuropsychiatry health and disease, and therefore, it may represent a potential therapeutic target. The current study aimed to investigate relationships between OT and glycemic status along with psycho-social and behavioral factors.Design and methodsA total of 92 obese or overweight, African American, male subjects were enrolled in the study. Biometric and biochemical data were collected including oral glucose tolerance testing and urinary OT (measured by ELISA). Subjects also completed questionnaires on social and lifestyle factors.ResultsOT levels were found to be significantly lower in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to normal glucose tolerance (pConclusionsIn this unique population, OT was found lower in subjects with diabetes but higher with better renal function, cigarette smoking and use of psychiatric medications. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and examine the potential therapeutic role of OT.