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Review
. 2022 May 16;43(3):363-371.
doi: 10.1515/hmbci-2021-0034. eCollection 2022 Sep 1.

Oxytocin, the panacea for long-COVID? a review

Phuoc-Tan Diep  1 , Mohammed Chaudry  1 , Adam Dixon  2 , Faisal Chaudry  3 , Violet Kasabri  4
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Oxytocin, the panacea for long-COVID? a review

Phuoc-Tan Diep et al. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. .
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: In this hypothesis paper we explore the underlying mechanisms for long-COVID and how the oxytocinergic neurones could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 leading to a reduction in plasma oxytocin (OXT). Furthermore, we aim to review the relevance of OXT and hypothalamic function in recovery from long-COVID symptoms and pathology, through exploring the pro-health effects of the OXT neuropeptide.

Methods: A review of published literature was surveyed using Google Scholar and PubMed.

Results: Numerous experimental data can be shown to correlate with OXT and long-COVID symptoms and conditions, thus providing strong circumstantial evidence to support our hypothesis. It is postulated that the reduction in plasma OXT due to acute and post-viral damage to the hypothalamus and oxytocinergic neurones contributes to the variable multi-system, remitting and relapsing nature of long-COVID. The intranasal route of OXT application was determined to be most appropriate and clinically relevant for the restoration of oxytocinergic function post COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions: We believe it is imperative to further investigate whether OXT alleviates the prolonged suffering of patients with long-COVID. Succinctly, OXT may be the much-needed post-pandemic panacea.

Keywords: COVID-19; action mechanism; hypothalamus; long-COVID; oxytocin.

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