| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022444 | Regulatory Peptides | 2013 | 4 Pages |
•We detected oxytocin receptor (ORT) expression rat pancreas by real-time RT-PCR.•Co-localization of OTR and either glucagon or insulin was demonstrated.•OTR-immunoreactivity in A-cells was stronger than that of B-cells.•All A-cells and 94.8% of B-cells were OTR-immunoreactive.•We suggest that oxytocin is involved in the release of insulin and glucagon.
In this study, oxytocin receptors (OTRs) in the islets of Langerhans were detected using real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique. Indeed, OTR mRNA was expressed in the rat pancreas. Double immunohistochemical staining for OTR and either glucagon or insulin demonstrated their co-localization in A-cells or B-cells, respectively. OTR-immunoreactivity in A-cells was stronger than that of B-cells. All A-cells and 94.8% of B-cells were OTR-immunoreactive. We reveal the statistically significant relations of OTR with A-cells and B-cells in the islets of Langerhans. This is the first demonstration of the OTR localization in the islets of Langerhans immunohistochemically. It suggests that oxytocin (OT) is involved in the release of insulin and glucagon.
