Analysis of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor expressions after hand therapy treatment in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy .

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of hand therapy (HT) on oxytocin and oxytocin receptor expression in a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) model mouse.

Methods: CIPN model mouse was induced by intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel (PTX; 4 mg/kg) on days 0, 2, 4 and 6 of the study. HT was performed on the CIPN mice once daily for 14 consecutive days, starting on day 8 after the PTX injection. Following HT,we observed the oxytocin and oxytocin receptor expressions in the skin and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and assessed the oxytocin in the serum.

Results: Oxytocin expressions in the skin and DRG significantly increased in the PTX + HT group compared to that in the Non-PTX and PTX groups. Additionally, oxytocin receptor expressions in the skin and DRG significantly increased in the PTX + HT group compared to that in the PTX group. Furthermore, the PTX + HT group showed significantly higher serum oxytocin concentration than the Non-PTX and PTX groups.

Conclusion: The present study showed that HT reversed PTX-induced suppression of oxytocin receptor expressions and HT increased oxytocin expression locally and its systemic level. Such results connect the gap and previous suggestions that HT improving neurological symptoms are related to oxytocin levels.