Boston University Libraries OpenBU
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    •   OpenBU
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • Boston University Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   OpenBU
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • Boston University Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item

    Role of phytoestrogens on expression of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors and resulting behavioral changes in humans

    Thumbnail
    Date Issued
    2014
    Author(s)
    Parker, Matthew James
    Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare by Email
    Export Citation
    Download to BibTex
    Download to EndNote/RefMan (RIS)
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Permanent Link
    https://hdl.handle.net/2144/14326
    Abstract
    Soy based products are growing in popularity in food supplementation, and a larger population of the world is consuming soy on a regular basis. Soy contains phytoestrogens, plant based mimics of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen has many functions in humans, but one relatively unexplored function is its ability to regulate the levels of the hormone oxytocin (OT) and its receptor (OTR) in the brain. OT is a hormone traditionally known for its role in birth, but recently has been as a key regulator in many different behaviors. These behaviors that OT may affect include increased maternal behaviors, increased sexual behaviors, increased social interactions, increased trust, decreased anxiety, and increased potential for pair bonding. Key phytoestrogens found in soy are of the isoflavone family, and genistein and diadzein are the main two isoflavones that have been shown to exert physiologic effects when ingested by binding to estrogen receptors in the brain. The isoflavones can be estrogen agonists or estrogen antagonists, based on the preexisting, endogenous levels of estrogen in the individual. For men and postmenopausal women, it is believed that ingesting soy can cause an increase in production of OT and OTR, resulting in an increased in OT driven behaviors. For premenopausal women, there is a high endogenous level of estrogen present, so the ingested soy can cause a decrease in production of OT and OTR in the brain, resulting in a decrease in OT driven behaviors. While there is strong evidence to suggest that this may in fact occur in humans, more human based studies, rather than animal models, must be conducted to further verify and validate this hypothesis. An important area yet unexplored is the onset and duration of these OT driven behaviors. It is unclear if these are transient, or more long lasting effects, and future studies must be done to answer this question. This area of research is certainly more relevant as soy based diets are becoming more common; moving forward additional research is needed to determine the extent of oxytocin's ability to alter behaviors in individuals in a significant way.
    Collections
    • Boston University Theses & Dissertations [6746]


    Boston University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Help
     

     

    Browse

    All of OpenBUCommunities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    Deposit Materials

    LoginNon-BU Registration

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Boston University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Help