Stress-induced hyperalgesia is a problematic condition that lacks an effective therapeutic measure, and hence impairs health-related quality of life. The regulation of stress by oxytocin (OT) has overlapping effects on pain. OT can alleviate pain directly mainly at the spinal level and the peripheral tissues. Additionally, OT plays an analgesic role by dealing with stress and fear learning. When OT relieves stress by targeting the prefrontal brain regions and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the body's sensitivity to pain is attenuated. Meanwhile, OT facilitates fear learning and may, in turn, enhance the anticipatory actions to painful stimulation. The unique therapeutic value of OT in patients suffering from stress and stress-related hyperalgesia conditions is worth considering. We reviewed recent advances in animal and human studies involving the effects of OT on stress and pain, and discussed the possible targets of OT within the descending and ascending pathways in the central nervous system. This review provides an overview of the evidence on the role of OT in alleviating stress-induced hyperalgesia.

中文翻译：

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催产素能抑制压力引起的痛觉过敏吗？

压力引起的痛觉过敏是一种有问题的病症，缺乏有效的治疗措施，因此会损害与健康相关的生活质量。催产素 (OT) 对压力的调节对疼痛具有重叠效应。OT 可以直接减轻疼痛，主要是在脊髓水平和外周组织。此外，OT 通过处理压力和恐惧学习起到镇痛作用。当 OT 通过靶向前额叶脑区和下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴来缓解压力时，身体对疼痛的敏感性就会减弱。同时，OT 促进恐惧学习，并可能反过来增强对痛苦刺激的预期行为。OT 对患有压力和压力相关痛觉过敏的患者的独特治疗价值值得考虑。我们回顾了涉及 OT 对压力和疼痛影响的动物和人类研究的最新进展，并讨论了 OT 在中枢神经系统下行和上行通路中的可能靶点。本综述概述了 OT 在减轻压力引起的痛觉过敏的作用的证据。