The Effect of Oxytocin on Osteoporosis Improvement: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis, a chronic skeletal disorder leading to decreased bone density and increased fracture risk, predominantly affects postmenopausal women and the elderly. Current treatments have limitations due to long-term side effects, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. Recent research suggests oxytocin (OT) may play a role in bone formation and density, providing a potential novel treatment avenue.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA 2020 statement in 2023. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature resources (ProQuest, and Google Scholar) were searched with oxytocin and osteoporosis keywords and their synonyms in the MeSH database without time limitation. Inclusion criteria encompassed experimental studies on humans and animals that examined the relationship between oxytocin and osteoporosis, with available full texts in English. The quality assessment of the studies was done based on the CAMARADES checklist, ARRIVE guideline, and NHLBI.

Results: Out of 880 records, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 19 animal studies and 11 human studies. The animal studies primarily indicated that oxytocin promotes bone formation, inhibits bone resorption, and may serve as a diagnostic marker for osteoporosis. Human studies showed a positive correlation between oxytocin levels and bone mineral density (BMD), particularly in postmenopausal women, suggesting oxytocin's protective role against osteoporosis.

Conclusion: Oxytocin demonstrates anabolic effects on bone, enhancing bone regeneration and reducing resorption. The findings support oxytocin's potential as a treatment for osteoporosis, though clinical trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy and determine optimal dosing. Further research is needed to explore oxytocin's preventive role and effects on different populations.

Keywords: Bone; Osteoporosis; Oxytocin.

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