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Macroprolactinaemia associated with prolactin adenoma
Chantal Mounier1, Jacqueline Trouillas, Bruno Claustrat
1Service d'Endocrinologie, Hôpital Bellevue, 42055 Saint-Etienne Cedex 2, France.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|March 28, 2003
Summary
Macroprolactinaemia, characterized by big big prolactin (bbPRL) isoforms, may be linked to prolactinomas. This study investigated 13 patients with prolactinomas, finding macroprolactinaemia in five, suggesting a potential association.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Macroprolactinaemia, defined by big big prolactin (bbPRL) isoforms, is often idiopathic and asymptomatic.
- The association between macroprolactinaemia and prolactinomas is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of macroprolactinaemia in patients with tumoral hyperprolactinaemia due to prolactinomas.
- To explore the characteristics of patients with prolactinomas and macroprolactinaemia.
Main Methods:
- Selected 13 patients with prolactinomas from a cohort of 36 hyperprolactinaemic patients.
- Categorized patients into large PRL (bbPRL predominant) and monomeric PRL (mPRL predominant) groups.
- Measured plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations, analyzed PRL heterogeneity via gel filtration, and examined autoantibodies and tumor histology.
Main Results:
- Macroprolactinaemia was identified in five out of 13 patients with prolactinomas.
- Clinical and biological features were similar between patients with and without macroprolactinaemia.
- No anti-PRL autoantibodies were found; prolactinomas showed typical features or unusual PRL deposits, suggesting tumoral origin of large PRL forms.
Conclusions:
- Prolactinomas may be associated with macroprolactinaemia.
- The study suggests that large PRL isoforms in prolactinoma patients may originate from the tumor itself.