Effects of Oxytocin Administration on Oxidative Markers in the Temporal Lobe of Aged Rats

Considering the relevance of oxidative stress in aging and antioxidant properties of oxytocin, which we previously demonstrated, we studied the effects of intraperitoneal oxytocin administration (10 mg/kg body mass for 12 days) on enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and also on malonic dialdehyde (MDA) level in the brain temporal lobe of aged (2-year-old) Wistar rats. In these rats, oxytocin treatment provided a significantly lower SOD enzymatic activity, somewhat greater GPx activity, and significantly lower MDA concentration, when compared to the respective indices in aged control rats. It is concluded that, due to its antioxidant effect, oxytocin can be considered a candidate for the development of a new therapeutic modality in aging and in related neuropsychiatric disorders.