Elevated plasma/serum levels of prolactin in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Prolactin (PRL), an inflammatory hormone with cytokine properties, has long been considered to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the plasma/serum levels of PRL in SSc were inconsistent in published studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma/serum levels of PRL in patients with SSc accurately. Methods: Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and WANFANG databases, were searched up to October 15, 2019. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by fixed-effect or random-effects model analysis. All statistical analyses were conducted with STATA 12.0. Results: Fifty three articles were obtained after searching databases, and 9 studies with 293 SSc patients and 282 controls were finally included. The meta-analysis showed that the plasma/serum PRL level in SSC patients was significantly increased compared with the healthy controls, with the SMD of 1.00 and 95% CI (0.56, 1.43). Subgroup analysis showed that female patients had higher plasma/serum PRL levels. However, no significant change in plasma/serum PRL levels was observed in male patients ( P = .318). In subgroup analysis by detection type, electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) group and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) group showed higher PRL levels among SSc patients. Conclusions: In summary, our meta-analysis showed a significantly higher plasma/serum PRL level in SSc patients than healthy controls, and it was associated with gender and detection method.

Interference of B lymphocyte tolerance by prolactin in rheumatic autoimmune diseases

“…Besides the immunomodulatory activities, current literature provides evidence supporting prolactin's contribution to the breakdown of tolerance mechanisms of B lymphocytes [ [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] ]. On the other hand, the crucial role of PRL in the pathogenesis of several rheumatic autoimmune diseases (RADs), such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been shown [ 19 , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] ]. The current mini-review delves into the significance of PRL to the breakdown of B lymphocyte tolerance and its potential implications for the development of the three momentous rheumatic autoimmune diseases.…”

“…A meta-analysis of PRL serum levels in SSc patients revealed that PRL levels were elevated in the patients and were positively associated with the disease severity and duration [ 31 , 34 ]. Lymphocytes of SSc patients produce a higher amount of PRL compared to the lymphocytes from healthy individuals, implying that lymphocytes could be the possible source of excessive PRL found in SSc [ 32 ].…”

Quasi-spherical silver nanoparticles for human prolactin detection by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

“…3 Prolactinoma is characterized by an increased secretion of prolactin (the serum prolactin level is typically greater than 200 ng ml −13 and symptoms like oligoamenorrhea in females, erectile dysfunction in males, galactorrhea, infertility in both sexes and pathologic ndings observed with magnetic resonance imaging of the sellar region. 7,8 The evaluation of prolactin levels is helpful in the diagnosis, assessment of pharmacological response, and follow-up of patients with prolactinoma. 9 Immunoassay techniques usually quantify serum prolactin levels.…”