Could oxytocin reduce autoimmune disease in COVID-19?

Phuoc-Tan Diep; Véronique de Kok

doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102994

Could oxytocin reduce autoimmune disease in COVID-19?

Autoimmun Rev. 2022 Feb;21(2):102994. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102994. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Authors

Phuoc-Tan Diep¹, Véronique de Kok²

Affiliations

¹ University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Kendal, Cumbria, GB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ptdiep@doctors.org.uk.
² Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'innovation, Paris, France.

Abstract

Disruption of immune and neuroendocrine system function has been shown to play a key role in COVID-19. Oxytocin is vitally important for the immune and neuroendocrine systems. However, oxytocin dysfunction might occur in COVID-19 leading to autoimmune disease. Intranasal oxytocin may be effective in turning off an overactive immune system. This could be a powerful approach to avoid possible autoimmune diseases after COVID-19.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; COVID-19; Hypothalamus; Immune-neuroendocrine system; Intranasal administration; Oxytocin.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Administration, Intranasal
Autoimmune Diseases* / drug therapy
Autoimmune Diseases* / prevention & control
COVID-19* / complications
Humans
Oxytocin / therapeutic use*

Substances

Oxytocin