The OXTR Polymorphism Stratified the Correlation of Oxytocin and Glucose Homeostasis in Non-Diabetic Subjects

Introduction

Oxytocin, secreted by the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, is well-known for its roles in parturition and lactation. Recent reports have suggested that oxytocin is also important for energy homeostasis and regulation of feeding behavior.^1,2 The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is expressed in the brain, heart, kidneys, pancreas, and adipose tissue.³ Animal studies have shown that direct injection of oxytocin centrally suppressed the desire for food consumption and influenced glucose metabolism.^4–6 Knock-out OXT- or OXTR-gene mice developed hyperphagia and obesity phenotypes.^7,8 In addition, a feedback of oxytocin secretion can be stimulated by changes in glucose metabolism.⁹ Not only have animal studies shown that obesity is associated with impaired oxytocin release in the brain,¹⁰ but also human study has shown decreased circulating levels of oxytocin in obese and newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.¹¹ Subsequent studies demonstrated that oxytocin administration intranasally might influence the food reward system, inversely regulate the insulin level and glucose metabolism, and affect food preference.^12–14

Moreover, individual oxytocin biological activity can be affected by age, body mass index (BMI), and genetic variations in either the OXT or OXTR gene. OXTR is located on chromosome 3p25 and contains three introns and four exons, and spans 17 kb of DNA. OXTR contains several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have been genotyped in association studies of various traits and behaviors in humans, such as physiological reactivity to stress, amygdala and hypothalamus functioning, and benefit from social support.^15,16 Among the OXTR variations, a common OXTR polymorphism, rs53576 (G/A), in intron 3, has been demonstrated to modulate stress-coping and rewarding behaviors.^17–19 In addition, our previous study demonstrated that this polymorphism is associated with striatal dopaminergic activity, which is critical for metabolic regulation.²⁰ Although a recent study indicated that genotype frequencies of the OXTR rs53576 polymorphism were associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes,²¹ the contribution of OXTR rs53576 polymorphism to glucose homeostasis in humans is unclear. In the current study, therefore, we aimed to investigate not only the correlation of oxytocin and glucose homeostasis, but also the stratification effect of OXTR polymorphism on the homeostasis in non-diabetic participants.

Methods

Ethic Statement

The research protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee for Human Research at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital, and written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any procedures were performed. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Subjects

The non-diabetic participants were enrolled from the community through advertisement and had been recruited.²⁰ Individuals were excluded if they were found to have an endocrine illness, mental illness, or neurological disorder after a diagnostic interview.²² Participants (i) with any acute or unstable medical condition, such as acute coronary syndrome, a recent history of brain hemorrhage, or any admission to hospital in the most recent 3 months; (ii) with a history of head trauma or neurological disease; (iii) using medication with an effect on the central dopamine or serotonin system; (iv) with a history of alcohol abuse or other substance abuse; and (iv) who had previously been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus or had HbA1c >6% were excluded from our study. Body weight and body high of each subject were measured, and BMI (kg/m²) were calculated accordingly.

Oxytocin Level and OXTR Genotyping

Fasting blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein between 08:00 and 10:00 am in heparinized plain tubes then centrifuged at 2400 ×g for 15 min at 4°C. Plasma was then aspirated and stored at −80°C. The oxytocin immunoreactivity level was quantified in duplicate using a commercial oxytocin ELISA kit (Elisa Kit for oxytocin, USCN Life Science, Houston, TX). The detectable range for this assay was 12.35–1000 pg/mL. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was 10%, and the inter-assay CV was 12%. The minimum detectable dose of oxytocin was typically less than 4.87 pg/mL. There was no significant cross-reactivity or interference between oxytocin and the analogues observed. We validated the assay by taking a pool of 10 plasma samples from our subjects and spiking it with a series of oxytocin levels in the physiological range (dilutions from 2–50 pg/mL). The assay reported the increments in the spiked plasma samples accurately (R² = 0.998).

Genomic DNA was extracted from each blood sample using a QIAamp DNA blood kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The quality of the extracted genomic DNA was checked by agarose gel electrophoresis analysis. The DNA was stored at −80°C until use. The SNP of OXTR rs53576 was analyzed using commercially-available TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and amplification and dissociation were carried out using an ABI 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems). The PCR system automatically calculated the negative derivative of the change in fluorescence. The SNP genotype of each tested sample was determined using the STEPONE software program and confirmed manually. In cases of disagreement, the analysis was repeated.

Fasting Glucose Profile Measurements

The participants were instructed to fast for at least nine hours prior to each examination. Blood samples were collected between 08:00 and 10:00 am. Fasting plasma glucose values were determined using the glucose oxidase method (Synchron CX3, Beckman, Brea, CA). The HbA1c value was measured using the automated boronate affinity high performance liquid chromatography method (CLC385; Primus corp., Kansas City, MO). The fasting serum insulin concentration was measured using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay method (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Los Angeles, CA). The insulin resistance index, which indicated the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), was calculated as fasting serum insulin value (μIU/mL) × fasting plasma glucose value (mg/dL)/405.²³ The fasting plasma leptin level was measured using an ELISA method (Linco Research, St Louis, MO).

Statistical Analysis

The data were analyzed using SPSS software v17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Means and standard deviations (SDs) were calculated for descriptive analysis of the participants’ demographic data and metabolic profiles by the t-test. The literature concerning the SNP that is most studied (rs53576) has usually compared the GG individuals with AG and AA combined. Because A allele carriers have similar social phenotypic presentations of stress,²⁴ and one recent study showed that the base pairing of the AA genotype has a protective role against type 2 diabetes mellitus.²¹ Thus, carriers with one or two copies of the A allele were combined into a dominant A allele model group to examine the dominant effect of the A allele of the OXTR in the current study. Metabolic profiles were tested for significant differences between genotypes using the Student’s t-test. Pearson’s correlations were used to examine the correlations between oxytocin level and metabolic profile. Partial correlations of adjusting age, sex, and BMI were performed, because oxytocin is an age, gender, and BMI-specific circulating hormone.^25,26 The threshold for statistical significance was 0.05.

Results

We recruited 89 participants, the demographic data of whom are shown in Table 1. Participants were on average 32.7 ± 11.9 years of age, and 43.8% were male. The frequencies of the OXTR polymorphisms fitted the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.98). In addition, the genotypic distribution of the participants (AA: 37.1%; AG: 47.2%; GG: 15.7%) was consistent with that presented in the Ensembl project (http://asia.ensembl.org) for participants of Asian ethnicity (AA: 47.2%, AG: 42.3% and GG: 10.5%). In addition, the demographic characteristics, including the glucose level, insulin indices, leptin level and oxytocin level, were not significantly different between subjects subgrouped by the polymorphisms of OXT (Table 1).

Table 1 Demographic Data and Fasting Glucose Profile in All of the Subjects

There were significant correlations between the oxytocin level and fasting glucose level (r = –0.29, P < 0.01), insulin level (r = –0.26, P = 0.01), and HOMA-IR (r = –0.25, P = 0.01), when adjusted for age, gender and BMI (Table 2). Furthermore, when considering the stratification effects of the OXTR variation, we found that the oxytocin level was significantly correlated with the fasting glucose level (r = –0.25, P = 0.04), insulin level (r = –0.35, P= 0.03) (Figure 1), and HOMA-IR (r = –0.35, P < 0.01) (Figure 2) in participants with the A allele (n = 75) of OXTR after adjustment for age, gender and BMI. Furthermore, the oxytocin level in those with the GG genotype was significantly negatively correlated with the leptin level (n = 14, r = –0.66, P = 0.02) (Table 2).

Table 2 Correlation Between Initial Plasma Oxytocin Level and Fasting Glucose Profile Subgrouped by OXTR Variation

Figure 1 Correlation between the fasting level of oxytocin and insulin. The oxytocin level was significantly negatively correlated with insulin level (r = –0.27, P = 0.03) in carriers with the A allele of the OXTR, and the result was consistent even after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI (r = –0.35, P = 0.03). However, there was positively correlated in carriers with the GG genotype.

Figure 2 Correlation between the level of oxytocin and the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The oxytocin level was significantly negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r = –0.26, P = 0.03) in carriers with the A allele of the OXTR, and the result was consistent even after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI (r = –0.35, P < 0.01). However, there was positively correlated in carriers with the GG genotype.

Discussion

The results of this study were the first to show a significant stratification effect of OXTR variation on the correlations of oxytocin and glucose homeostasis in a human study, while there were significant correlations between the oxytocin level and fasting glucose profiles in our study and recent reports.^9,10 Furthermore, the directionality of this association in A allele carriers differed from that in GG carriers. In recent years, oxytocin has been suggested to be a potential therapeutic target against obesity; however, divergent effects on adiposity and diabetes have been observed. The results of the current study suggested that identification of the OXTR genotype would be beneficial in terms of oxytocin treatment and gaining an understanding of the human pathology of obesity.

The direct causative role of OXTR rs53576 polymorphism, involving an adenine (A)/guanine (G) transition in intron 3, on oxytocin receptors have not been identified and currently difficult to examine in vivo in humans.²⁷ Although oxytocin levels were not different between OXTR rs53576 variant groups, however, an increasing body of research suggests that variation of OXTR rs53576 for key players involved in oxytocin signaling substantially contribute to individual differences in empathy, reflection of sensitivity to familial environment, and mental health issues.^17–19,28 In addition, studies have demonstrated that the OXTR rs53576 variations are associated with the amygdala volumes and with the amount of oxytocin receptors in the amygdala, consequently affecting amygdala function and anxiety-related trait.^27,29 Moreover, recent studies indicated that G carriers are more sensitive to the surroundings, both in favorable or negative contexts, and this elevated susceptibility to the environment may affect neural plasticity in mechanisms involving the oxytocin system.^24,27,28 These individuals with GG genotype exhibited altered blood pressure and cortisol levels following rejection, effects not apparent among A carriers.²⁴ Thus, evidence from previous reports and the current study suggest that the polymorphism of OXTR rs53576 could influence glucose homeostasis and be associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in humans through the regulation stress and HPA axis.^21,30 Subjects with the GG genotype of the OXTR rs53576 polymorphism may be not beneficial to glucose homeostasis compared with A allele carriers.

The stratification effect on energy homeostasis might arise from both central and peripheral oxytocin action. Centrally, oxytocin could affect the emotional response to stress that determines the blood glucose level in nondiabetic subjects.^31–33 Moreover, previous reports also showed that A allele carriers of polymorphism of OXTR rs53576 are more resilient and present lower physiological reactions under stress.²⁴ Peripherally, oxytocin administration improved glucose intolerance in a mouse model,³⁴ and oxytocin administration has an acute glucose regulatory effect in healthy subjects.³⁵ Although the central–peripheral oxytocinergic effects on energy homeostasis are still unclear, the polymorphism of OXTR could stratify glucose homeostasis. The results of the current study suggested that the peripheral oxytocin–glucose association in terms of fasting glucose level, insulin level and HOMA-IR, was stratified by the polymorphism of OXTR rs53576 in non-diabetic subjects. Interestingly, a recent study showed that subjects with the A allele of the OXTR rs53576 polymorphism may be protected against diabetes mellitus formation.^21,30 Thus, additional research is needed to elucidate the function of OXTR in the physiological reaction to stress and to clarify the role of OXTR in glucose homeostasis.

Oxytocin might play an important role in terms of interacting with leptin and insulin for metabolic control.^36,37 The adipokine leptin is another energy-regulated neuropeptide that impacts hypothalamic insulin signaling.³⁸ Interestingly, evidence suggests that oxytocin interacts with leptin centrally to inhibit food intake.³⁹ Animal studies have demonstrated that oxytocin deficiency may lead to hyperleptinemia and metabolic syndrome,⁴⁰ while direct central or peripheral oxytocin administration could decrease fat mass, demonstrating an effect of oxytocin on leptin deficiency or resistance.⁴¹ An obese rodent study also showed that direct central infusion of leptin affected OXT gene expression and mediated body weight.³⁶ Moreover, our study here demonstrated the different directionalities of the correlations of the oxytocin and leptin level in individuals with the A allele and those with the GG genotype of OXTR, although the causal relationship and the mechanism should be confirmed in further study.

Limitation

There were several limitations to our study. First, small sample sizes weakened the reliability of the results. Second, further challenge tests to validate the associations and test whether the associations could be reversed were lacking. Third, we did not collect factors, such as diet and exercise, that may influence glucose metabolism.^17,42 We analyzed the correlation between oxytocin level and fasting glucose profile adjusted for age, gender, and BMI. The value of BMI is not only associated with fat deposition and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, but also as an important role represented for evaluation of diet intake and physical activity.⁴³ In addition, we have excluded those who previously been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus or had HbA1c >6% to exclude other possible confounding factors. Finally, we did not test the functional assessment of the OXTR polymorphism on glucose homeostasis. Therefore, the findings may be considered exploratory, further larger sample sizes should be employed to confirm our results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study demonstrated significant correlations between oxytocin and glucose metabolism in non-diabetic participants. We also identified a significant stratification effect of OXTR polymorphism on glucose homeostasis. The results suggested that the polymorphism of OXTR might play an important role in individual differences in the biological oxytocin effect on glucose homeostasis.