Abstract
The purpose of this review is to explore the parallel roles and interaction of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and oxytocin (OT) in cardiovascular regulation and fluid homeostasis. Their interaction has been recently reported to be relevant during physical and psychological trauma. However, literature reports on H(2)S in physical trauma and OT in psychological trauma are abundant, whereas available information regarding H(2)S in psychological trauma and OT in physical trauma is much more limited. This review summarizes recent direct and indirect evidence of the interaction of the two systems and their convergence in downstream nitric oxide-dependent signaling pathways during various types of trauma, in an effort to better understand biological correlates of psychosomatic interdependencies.