Oxytocin, a hypothalamic hormone that is secreted directly into the brain and enters the peripheral circulation through the posterior pituitary gland, regulates a range of physiologic processes, including eating behaviour and metabolism. In rodents and nonhuman primates, chronic oxytocin administration leads to sustained weight reduction by reducing food intake, increasing energy expenditure and inducing lipolysis. Oxytocin might improve glucose homeostasis, independently of its effects on weight. Clinical studies are beginning to translate these important preclinical findings to humans. This Review describes key data linking oxytocin to eating behaviour and metabolism in humans. For example, a single intranasal dose of oxytocin can reduce caloric intake, increase fat oxidation and improve insulin sensitivity in men. Furthermore, a pilot study of 8 weeks of oxytocin treatment in adults with obesity or overweight led to substantial weight loss. Together, these data support further investigation of interventions that target pathways involving oxytocin as potential therapeutics in metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus. Therapeutic considerations and areas for further research are also discussed.

催产素是一种下丘脑激素，直接分泌到大脑中，并通过垂体后叶进入外周循环，调节一系列生理过程，包括进食行为和新陈代谢。在啮齿动物和非人类灵长类动物中，长期服用催产素可通过减少食物摄入，增加能量消耗和诱导脂解作用来持续减轻体重。催产素可能会改善葡萄糖体内稳态，而不论其对体重的影响如何。临床研究开始将这些重要的临床前发现转化为人类。这篇综述描述了将催产素与人类饮食行为和新陈代谢联系起来的关键数据。例如，单次鼻内注射催产素可以减少男性的热量摄入，增加脂肪氧化和改善胰岛素敏感性。此外，对肥胖或超重的成年人进行催产素治疗8周的一项初步研究导致体重明显减轻。总之，这些数据支持对涉及催产素作为代谢性疾病（包括肥胖症和糖尿病）潜在疗法的通路的干预措施的进一步研究。还讨论了治疗方面的考虑因素和需要进一步研究的领域。