Neurohypophyseal hormones: novel actors of striated muscle development and homeostasis

Since the 1980's, novel functional roles of the neurohypophyseal hormones vasopressin and oxytocin have emerged. Several studies have investigated the effects of these two neurohormones on striated muscle tissues, both in vitro and in vivo. Whereas oxytocin appears to have a greater influence on cardiomyocyte differentiation and heart homeostasis, important effects of vasopressin on skeletal myogenic cells, developing muscle and muscle homeostasis have been extensively documented. Recent findings include in vivo results of strategies aimed at sensitizing skeletal muscles to endogenous, physiological vasopressin. These approaches resulted in accelerated and more efficient regeneration of injured or regeneration-impaired muscles. This review summarizes the studies on these novel roles of the two neurohypophyseal hormones, thus opening the possibility of new therapeutic approaches for diseases affecting striated muscle and for antagonizing muscle wasting in disuse and aging.