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Żak K, Starek E, Korga-Plewko A, Rasoul-Pelińska K, Abramiuk M, Michalczuk M, Rajtak A, Kotarski J, Frankowska K, Bis L, Ostrowska-Leśko M, Bobiński M. Assessment of the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Sexual Function of Women, Levels of Oxytocin and Prolactin: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2230. [PMID: 38673504 PMCID: PMC11051359 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: There is a lack of direct evidence on whether SARS-CoV-2 affects women's sexual function through a biological-organic mechanism. Existing studies on the topic are few and have produced contradictory results. This study aims to explore the possible relationship between sex hormones and sexual function in patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we aimed to determine whether these changes are related to the clinical course of COVID-19 and whether they are temporary or long-lasting. (2) Methods: A study was conducted on 104 women, including 64 women infected with COVID-19 and a control group of 40 healthy women, between January 2021 and August 2022. Blood samples were collected to measure prolactin and oxytocin levels, and a clinical assessment was performed 3 and 6 months later. Sexual function self-assessment was captured based on the FSFI scale. (3) Results: Our study found that patients with severe COVID-19 had better sexual satisfaction scores one month after recovery but no discernible difference after six months. High levels of serum prolactin were observed in patients with active COVID-19 but became similar to a control group after one month and remained stable over time. Higher prolactin levels were significantly associated with increased arousal and hydration. Individuals with severe COVID-19 had notably low levels of plasma oxytocin, but there was no correlation between oxytocin levels and sexual satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The gynecologic symptoms, as well as disturbances in oxytocin and prolactin levels, might be observed in a short time after infection. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection has no lasting effect on sexual function, oxytocin, and prolactin levels among women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Żak
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ernest Starek
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Agnieszka Korga-Plewko
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (M.M.)
| | - Karolina Rasoul-Pelińska
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Monika Abramiuk
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
- Independent Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Mariola Michalczuk
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (M.M.)
| | - Alicja Rajtak
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Jan Kotarski
- Independent Laboratory of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Medical University in Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Karolina Frankowska
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Liliana Bis
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Marta Ostrowska-Leśko
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marcin Bobiński
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
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Liu S, Huang R, Li A, Yu S, Yao S, Xu J, Tang L, Li W, Gan C, Cheng H. The role of the oxytocin system in the resilience of patients with breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1187477. [PMID: 37781188 PMCID: PMC10534028 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1187477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a grave traumatic experience that can profoundly compromise patients' psychological resilience, impacting their overall quality of life. The oxytocin system represents one of the essential neurobiological bases of psychological resilience and plays a critical role in regulating resilience in response to social or traumatic events during adulthood. Oxytocin, through its direct interaction with peripheral or central oxytocin receptors, has been found to have a significant impact on regulating social behavior. However, the precise mechanism by which the activation of peripheral oxytocin receptors leads to improved social is still not completely comprehended and requires additional research. Its activation can modulate psychological resilience by influencing estrogen and its receptors, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thyroid function, 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism levels, and arginine pressure release in breast cancer patients. Various interventions, including psychotherapy and behavioral measures, have been employed to improve the psychological resilience of breast cancer patients. The potential effectiveness of such interventions may be underpinned by their ability to modulate oxytocin release levels. This review provides an overview of the oxytocin system and resilience in breast cancer patients and identifies possible future research directions and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochun Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Runze Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Anlong Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Sheng Yu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Senbang Yao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lingxue Tang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chen Gan
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huaidong Cheng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Shenzhen Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Hu Q, Zhang S, Yang Y, Yao JQ, Tang WF, Lyon CJ, Hu TY, Wan MH. Extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis and treatment of acute lung injury. Mil Med Res 2022; 9:61. [PMID: 36316787 PMCID: PMC9623953 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-022-00417-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common life-threatening lung diseases associated with acute and severe inflammation. Both have high mortality rates, and despite decades of research on clinical ALI/ARDS, there are no effective therapeutic strategies. Disruption of alveolar-capillary barrier integrity or activation of inflammatory responses leads to lung inflammation and injury. Recently, studies on the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in regulating normal and pathophysiologic cell activities, including inflammation and injury responses, have attracted attention. Injured and dysfunctional cells often secrete EVs into serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with altered cargoes, which can be used to diagnose and predict the development of ALI/ARDS. EVs secreted by mesenchymal stem cells can also attenuate inflammatory reactions associated with cell dysfunction and injury to preserve or restore cell function, and thereby promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. This review focuses on the roles of EVs in the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation, particularly ALI/ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Hu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medical Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jia-Qi Yao
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wen-Fu Tang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Christopher J Lyon
- Center of Cellular and Molecular Diagnosis, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Tony Ye Hu
- Center of Cellular and Molecular Diagnosis, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | - Mei-Hua Wan
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,West China Hospital (Airport) of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610299, China.
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Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a nonapeptide, has a variety of functions. Despite extensive studies on OT over past decades, our understanding of its neural functions and their regulation remains incomplete. OT is mainly produced in OT neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and accessory nuclei between the SON and PVN. OT exerts neuromodulatory effects in the brain and spinal cord. While magnocellular OT neurons in the SON and PVN mainly innervate the pituitary and forebrain regions, and parvocellular OT neurons in the PVN innervate brainstem and spinal cord, the two sets of OT neurons have close interactions histologically and functionally. OT expression occurs at early life to promote mental and physical development, while its subsequent decrease in expression in later life stage accompanies aging and diseases. Adaptive changes in this OT system, however, take place under different conditions and upon the maturation of OT release machinery. OT can modulate social recognition and behaviors, learning and memory, emotion, reward, and other higher brain functions. OT also regulates eating and drinking, sleep and wakefulness, nociception and analgesia, sexual behavior, parturition, lactation and other instinctive behaviors. OT regulates the autonomic nervous system, and somatic and specialized senses. Notably, OT can have different modulatory effects on the same function under different conditions. Such divergence may derive from different neural connections, OT receptor gene dimorphism and methylation, and complex interactions with other hormones. In this review, brain functions of OT and their underlying neural mechanisms as well as the perspectives of their clinical usage are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Stephani C. Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuwei Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoran Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Neuroscience Laboratory for Translational Medicine, School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jiawei Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Kerqin District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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