Oxytocin stimulates proliferation of human osteoblast-like cells

Oxytocin receptors have recently been demonstrated in human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells. In this study, oxytocin 100-1000 pmol/l increased cell proliferation of primary cultures of hOB cells, measured by [H-3]thymidine incorporation, (P < 0.01). In human osteosarcoma cell-line (SaOS-2), oxytocin 100 pmol/l increased cell proliferation (measured by [H-3] thymidine incorporation and a commercially available kit) and protein synthesis ([H-3]proline incorporation) (P < 0.05). The increase in cell proliferation was abolished when SaOS-2 cells were incubated with an oxytocin antagonist and oxytocin. Oxytocin 100 pmol/l decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production of the hOB cells (23.4 +/- 1.96 versus 33.4 +/- 2.65 pg/well; P < 0.001). These findings indicate that oxytocin may affect bone metabolism in humans. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.