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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 21 · 2021

10 results

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, Ganapathy V, MacCarthy D, Pascucci C, Musi N, Volpi E

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association21 May 2021Cited by 35 (Europe PMC)

PMID34029521 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC8567747 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1016/j.jamda.2021.04.015 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-34029521
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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study10

10 results from studies that gave the peptide. 10 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin was well tolerated without any significant adverse events.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin was well tolerated without significant side effects.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeSafety and tolerability
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Oxytocin administration was well tolerated without any significant adverse events.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin increased whole body lean mass by 2.25 kg versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin increased lean body mass more than placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseWhole body lean mass
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Whole body lean mass difference
    2.25 kg
    oxytocin vs placebo

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Oxytocin led to a significant increase of 2.25 kg in whole body lean mass compared with placebo (P < .01)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin showed only a trend toward decreasing fat mass versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin showed only a trend toward less fat mass than placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeFat mass
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    with a trend toward decreasing fat mass
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  4. 04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin reduced plasma LDL cholesterol by 19.3 mg/dL versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin lowered LDL cholesterol more than placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    DecreasePlasma LDL cholesterol
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    LDL cholesterol change
    −19.3 mg/dL
    oxytocin vs placebo

    Source sentences

    Summary
    a significantly reduced plasma LDL cholesterol by -19.3 mg/dL (P = .023) compared against placebo.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  5. 05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin caused no significant change in BMI.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin did not significantly change BMI.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeBody mass index
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were no significant changes in BMI
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  6. 06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin caused no significant change in appetite scores.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin did not significantly change appetite scores.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeAppetite scores
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were no significant changes in BMI, appetite scores, glycemia, plasma HDL, triglycerides, or depressive symptoms.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  7. 07HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin caused no significant change in glycemia.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin did not significantly change blood sugar measures.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeGlycemia
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were no significant changes in BMI, appetite scores, glycemia, plasma HDL, triglycerides, or depressive symptoms.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  8. 08HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin caused no significant change in plasma HDL.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin did not significantly change HDL cholesterol.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changePlasma HDL cholesterol
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were no significant changes in BMI, appetite scores, glycemia, plasma HDL, triglycerides, or depressive symptoms.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  9. 09HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin caused no significant change in plasma triglycerides.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin did not significantly change triglycerides.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changePlasma triglycerides
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were no significant changes in BMI, appetite scores, glycemia, plasma HDL, triglycerides, or depressive symptoms.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.
  10. 10HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In older adults with sarcopenic obesity, intranasal oxytocin caused no significant change in depressive symptoms.

    In plain wordsIn older adults with sarcopenic obesity, oxytocin did not significantly change depressive symptoms.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeDepressive symptoms
    Study

    n = 21

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    24 IU 4 times per day · intranasal · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were no significant changes in BMI, appetite scores, glycemia, plasma HDL, triglycerides, or depressive symptoms.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks.
    Summary · context
    Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · 1 with posted results · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 1/2Results postedNCT03119610

The Physiologic Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sarcopenic Obesity

Sara Espinozan = 2322 Sept 2017 to 17 Dec 2019

Obesity · Sarcopenic Obesity · Sarcopenia · Aging · Sedentary Lifestyle

Trial pageClinicalTrials.govUpdated 22 Oct 2021

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:48 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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