Abstract:Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxytocin nasal spray in treating simple obesity. Methods Thirty cases of simple obesity were divided into two groups by a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial. The treatment group had 15 cases treated with oxytocin nasal spray, the placebo-control group had 15 cases treated with placebo (saline) nasal spray for a continuous 12-week period. The changes of body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, blood lipids, and liver and kidney functions were observed before and after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum adiponectin and CRP levels. Results Compared with the placebo-control group, the reduction ranges of body weight, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference at the end of the 12th week increased significantly in the treatment group (P < 0.05). In the treatment group, TC, LDL-C and TG decreased significantly at the end of the 12th week compared to those before treatment (P < 0.05), but HDL-C had no significant change at the end of the 12th week. At the end of the 12th week, TC, LDL-C and TG in the treatment group were lower those in the placebo-control group (P < 0.05). ALT reduced significantly in the treatment group at the end of the 12th week compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in AST, Scr or BUN before and after treatment (P > 0.05). CRP decreased while adiponectin increased significantly in the treatment group at the end of the 12th week compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with the placebo-control group, CRP decreased significantly and adiponectin increased significantly in treatment group at the end of the 12th week (P < 0.05). Conclusions Oxytocin can reduce the body weight of obese patients, improve lipid metabolism and ameliorate obesity chronic inflammatory state. Oxytocin has no adverse effect on hepatic or renal functions.