Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Lean Muscle Mass and Lowers LDL Cholesterol in Older Adults with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Espinoza SE, Lee JL, Wang CP, et al. (2021). Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
Summary
A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of intranasal oxytocin in 21 older adults with obesity and slow gait speed. Oxytocin was reported as well tolerated without significant adverse events. Whole-body lean mass rose by 2.25 kg compared with placebo and LDL cholesterol fell by 19.3 mg/dL, with a non-significant trend to lower fat mass. BMI, appetite, glycaemia, HDL, triglycerides and depressive symptoms did not change significantly. The trial was small and described by the authors as proof of concept. No conflicts were declared.