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Review
. 2021 Aug 1;162(8):bqab082.
doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqab082.

Cardiovascular Neuroendocrinology: Emerging Role for Neurohypophyseal Hormones in Pathophysiology

Ato O Aikins  1 , Dianna H Nguyen  1   2 , Obed Paundralingga  1 , George E Farmer  1 , Caroline Gusson Shimoura  1 , Courtney Brock  1 , J Thomas Cunningham  1
Affiliations
Review

Cardiovascular Neuroendocrinology: Emerging Role for Neurohypophyseal Hormones in Pathophysiology

Ato O Aikins et al. Endocrinology. .

Abstract

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXY) are released by magnocellular neurosecretory cells that project to the posterior pituitary. While AVP and OXY currently receive more attention for their contributions to affiliative behavior, this mini-review discusses their roles in cardiovascular function broadly defined to include indirect effects that influence cardiovascular function. The traditional view is that neither AVP nor OXY contributes to basal cardiovascular function, although some recent studies suggest that this position might be re-evaluated. More evidence indicates that adaptations and neuroplasticity of AVP and OXY neurons contribute to cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Keywords: heart failure; hypertension; oxytocin; vasopressin.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Magnocellular neurosecretory cells located in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus project to the posterior pituitary where arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXY) are released into the peripheral circulation. AVP acts on the kidneys to produce antidiuresis and on blood vessels to increase blood pressure. OXY produces uterine contractions that facilitate parturition and stimulates the milk ejection reflex. (Created with BioRender.com).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Homeostatic challenges activate central pathways that induce plasticity in the MNCs of the SON and PVN. This plasticity influences the release of AVP and OXY both centrally and into systemic circulation and contributes to cardiovascular regulation. SON, supraoptic nucleus; mPVN, paraventricular nucleus magnocellular division; pPVN, paraventricular nucleus parvocellular division. The sex of the individual would influence each of these processes. (Created with BioRender.com).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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