THE METABOLIC ROLE OF PROLACTIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

madman

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Objectives

Hyperprolactinemia has been proven to induce hypogonadism and metabolic derangements in both genders ,while the consequences of prolactin (PRL) deficiency have been poorly investigated. The aim of the study is to systematically review and analyze data from clinical studies focusing on the metabolic consequences of abnormally high prolactin levels (HPRL) and low prolactin levels (LPRL).


Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase and Cochrane search. In particular, two separate literature searches (one for HPRL and one for LPRL) until 31 March 2022 for published English-language articles were performed.


Results

17 studies were included in the analysis of HPRL. When compared to controls, patients with HPRL showed worse body composition. Moreover, higher total (12.55 [1.59-23.52] mg/dL p=0.02) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (13.40 [4.07-22.74] mg/dL p<0.001) as well as higher triglyceride levels (20.99 [9.36-32.63] mg/dL p<0.001) were observed in patients with HPRL. Finally, when glucose profile was analyzed, subjects with HPRL were characterized by higher HOMA index and insulin levels. Dopamino-agonist therapy resulted in an improvement of total (-19.26 [-25.22;-13.29] mg/dL p<0.001) and LDL cholesterol (-18.84[-24.44;-13.24] p<0.001) as well as triglyceride levels, fasting glycaemia and HOMA index. 12 cross-sectional and 3 longitudinal studies were included in the analysis of LPRL. Subjects included in cross-sectional studies, and with LPRL, showed worse lipid profiles and higher fasting glucose when compared to controls. The age-adjusted probability of diabetes was increased in subjects with LPRL (OR=1.60[1.43;1.79] p<0.001. Similar risk was observed when longitudinal studies were considered (OR=1.30[1.11;1.52] p<0.001 for LPRL vs. controls).


Conclusions

Pathological PRL elevation, but also its reduction, impairs metabolism and body composition in both genders, increasing the risk of diabetes. Patients with hypoprolactinemia, because of endogenous or iatrogenic conditions, deserve, as those with hyperprolactinemia, careful metabolic assessment.
 

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Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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