Oxytocin, the panacea for long-COVID? a review.
Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig
; 43(3): 363-371, 2022 Sep 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1846973
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
In this hypothesis paper we explore the underlying mechanisms for long-COVID and how the oxytocinergic neurones could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 leading to a reduction in plasma oxytocin (OXT). Furthermore, we aim to review the relevance of OXT and hypothalamic function in recovery from long-COVID symptoms and pathology, through exploring the pro-health effects of the OXT neuropeptide.METHODS:
A review of published literature was surveyed using Google Scholar and PubMed.RESULTS:
Numerous experimental data can be shown to correlate with OXT and long-COVID symptoms and conditions, thus providing strong circumstantial evidence to support our hypothesis. It is postulated that the reduction in plasma OXT due to acute and post-viral damage to the hypothalamus and oxytocinergic neurones contributes to the variable multi-system, remitting and relapsing nature of long-COVID. The intranasal route of OXT application was determined to be most appropriate and clinically relevant for the restoration of oxytocinergic function post COVID-19 infection.CONCLUSIONS:
We believe it is imperative to further investigate whether OXT alleviates the prolonged suffering of patients with long-COVID. Succinctly, OXT may be the much-needed post-pandemic panacea.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Neuropeptides
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Reviews
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Hmbci-2021-0034
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