Oxytocin / Sildenafil – Chewable Tablets

Oxytocin^1-6

Oxytocin causes G-protein coupled receptors to increase intracellular calcium which leads to uterine contraction. The stimulation of uterine contractions causes more oxytocin to be released. As more oxytocin is released it positively influences even more release of oxytocin. This release of oxytocin is called positive feedback which is much different than how many hormones work in the endocrine system. Oxytocin administered exogenously causes the same response as endogenously produced oxytocin. Not only does oxytocin stimulate uterine contractions, but it also causes contractions of myoepithelial cells in the alveolar ducts found in female breast tissue. These contractions force milk from these ducts into even larger sinuses, which subsequently enables milk expulsion. When a baby attempts to latch onto the mother’s breast it causes oxytocin secretion into the blood in the same manner as vaginal delivery; instead of uterine contractions, milk is ejected from the breast. Similar to the actions of oxytocin in the uterus to stimulate contractions during delivery, milk-ejection from breast tissue occurs due to positive feedback. In the brain, it is proposed that oxytocin stimulates social and sexual function by its activity in many areas of the brain including its activity on neurotransmitters.

Sildenafil^7-9

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) has many isoforms and is an enzyme that has many functions in the body including degrading the effect of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). PDE5 is an enzyme that is found in many parts of the body including in the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum, prostate, bladder, the vascular and visceral smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, urethra, platelets, kidney, lung, cerebellum, heart, liver, testis, seminal vesicle, and pancreas. Sildenafil is structurally similar to cGMP and prevents degradation of cGMP by competitively binding and inhibiting activity of PDE5. When PDE5 is inhibited, cGMP accumulates and leads to smooth muscle relaxation. In the corpus cavernosum, this leads to penile erection. In the pulmonary system, it leads to vasodilation in the pulmonary arteries.