- Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, believe that the ‘cuddle hormone ‘ oxytocin could help old people recover from muscle injuries faster
- Hormone is naturally released in response to physical touch
- Levels of oxytocin fall as we get older but injections of the hormone could be used to slow muscle wasting and improve bone health, study claims
- Research found unlike other treatments for muscle wasting, the hormone did not cause cancer and when injected
13:17 EST, 10 June 2014
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14:33 EST, 10 June 2014
Most people enjoy a good hug and now scientists think that the ‘cuddle hormone’ could one day be used to slow muscle wasting, boost bone health and even combat obesity.
Hugs prompt the body to produce ample amounts of the hormone oxytocin, which is released in response to physical touch and repairs muscle.
The hormone is presently used to induce labour in pregnant women but it could be put to new use in slowing down sarcopenia – or muscle wasting – in the elderly, a new study claims.
Hugging (pictured) releases the ‘cuddle hormone’ oxytocin and scientists think it could be used to slow muscle wasting, boost bone health and even combat obesity
THE BENEFITS OF OXYTOCIN
Oxytocin is released in response to physical touch and is associated with maternal nurturing, social attachments, childbirth and sex.
It is essential for healthy muscle maintenance and repair.
The hormone is injected to induce labour and a new study claims it could one day be used to slow down muscle wasting in the elderly.
Research has shown so far that it does not cause cancer when injected and could help old people recover from muscle injuries faster.
Levels of oxytocin are high in children, but it is not known when levels of the hormone start to decline and how much is needed to maintain healthy tissues.
Previous research found that administering oxytocin helped prevent the development of osteoporosis in mice.
Oxytocin is associated with maternal nurturing, social attachments, childbirth and sex is essential for healthy muscle maintenance and repair.
Research has found that unlike other treatments for muscle wasting, the hormone does not cause cancer and when injected, it could help old people recover from muscle injuries faster.
‘Unfortunately, most of the molecules discovered so far to boost tissue regeneration are also associated with cancer, limiting their potential as treatments for humans,’ said Irina Conboy, associate professor of bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley.
‘Our quest is to find a molecule that not only rejuvenates old muscle and other tissue, but that can do so sustainably long-term without increasing the risk of cancer.’
The study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, found that oxytocin, which is secreted into the blood by the brain’s pituitary gland, is a good candidate as it reaches every organ and is not known to be associated with tumours or to interfere with the immune system.
Research has found unlike other treatments for muscle wasting, oxytocin (the molecular model is pictured) did not cause cancer and when injected, helped old people recover from muscle injuries faster
Levels of oxytocin are high in children, but it is not known when levels of the hormone start to decline in later life and how much is needed to maintain healthy tissues.
Previous research found that administering oxytocin helped prevent the development of osteoporosis in mice.
The new research also involved mice and found that blood levels of oxytocin declined with age and there were fewer receptors for oxytocin in muscle stem cells in older mice.
To determine its role in muscle repair, the hormone was injected under the skin of old mice for nine days.
While testing is currently on mice, scientists think that the hormone could be used to speed up the repair of muscle damage (illustrated) in older people
The scientists found that the muscles of the mice that had received oxytocin injections healed far better than those of a control group of mice without oxytocin.
Researcher Dr Christian Elabd said: ‘The action of oxytocin was fast. The repair of muscle in the old mice was at about 80 per cent of what we saw in the young mice.’
However, the muscles of young mice given the extra boost of oxytocin did not regenerate especially quickly, leading researchers to believe it ‘boosts aged tissue stem cells without making muscle stem cells divide uncontrollably.’
The researchers also found that blocking the effects of oxytocin in young mice rapidly compromised their ability to repair muscle, which resembled old tissue after an injury.
They also studied mice whose gene for oxytocin was disabled and those left unaltered. At a young age, there was no significant difference between the two groups in muscle mass or repair efficiency after an injury.
It wasn’t until the mice with the disabled oxytocin gene reached adulthood that signs of premature ageing began to appear.
Professor Conboy said: ‘When disabling other types of genes associated with tissue repair, defects appear right away either during embryonic development, or early in life.
‘To our knowledge, the oxytocin gene is the only one whose impact is seen later in life, suggesting that its role is closely linked to the ageing process.’
Further research is planned to examine oxytocin’s role in extending a healthy life in animals and in conserving its beneficial anti-ageing effects in humans.
A growing number of scientists believe that ageing is the underlying cause of a number of chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s and Type 2 diabetes.
‘If you target processes associated with ageing, you may be tackling those diseases at the same time,’ Professor Conboy said.
Further research is planned to examine oxytocin’s role in extending a healthy life in animals and in conserving its beneficial anti-ageing effects in humans. A growing circle of scientists believe that ageing is the underlying cause of a number of chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s and Type 2 diabetes (illustrated)
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RedRoseAndy,
Hatfield,
15 hours ago
…I suffer from high endorphin levels, which leaves me permanently happy, which some find very irritating. I also fall in love very easily. I have found that Oxytocin gives a similar feeling and can thus be a treatment for depression. I have not tested it on any other mental illness but feel sure that it would have positive effects, I think this because by increasing endorphin levels by orgasm and body building, all while listening to your favourite music has been found to make the various symptoms of mental illness liveable. If taking Oxytocin for long periods I suggest using adequate birth control at the same time in order to prevent little accidents.
Laura,
Windermere, United Kingdom,
18 hours ago
Oh, com ‘ere you.
Alan,
Huddersfield,
20 hours ago
I only started to hug my dad after my mother died. My mother used to hug but, my dad always stood back. After my first hug with him afterwards, we both burst into tears. After that we always hugged AND kissed, and it is still in my memory after 20 years since he passed away. I always hug and kiss my kids AND grandchildren, plus i tell them how much i love them too. Its very important we should ALL do this.
Jackpot,
Los Angeles, United States,
23 hours ago
Unless this is bring by the special order passed in parliament I can’t do this.
E. Nuff,
Lancashire, United Kingdom,
23 hours ago
You can’t do that ! Like everything else, iIt’s against The H S Regulations …. any care home staff member will tell you. phew! what a thought …. actually making old people feel wanted. I don’t think our ‘rulers’ would take too well to that…. Old people are costing the country a fortune …they’ll all tell you (even thought their half-century of paying taxes and national insurance payments built the Health Service, Hospitals and roads – as will yours) ….. you mustn’t encourage them.
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