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Bioactivity of prolactin in systemic sclerosis
G La Montagna1, R Meli, T Criscuolo
1Dipartimento Scientifico di Internistica Clinica e Sperimentale F. Magrassi & A. Lanzara, Seconda Università di Napoli, Naples, Italy. giovanni.lamontagna@unina2.it
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|April 16, 2004
Summary
Mild hyperprolactinemia occurs in a subgroup of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between prolactin and SSc disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by skin and organ involvement.
- Elevated prolactin (PRL) levels have been observed in various autoimmune conditions, but their role in SSc is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate basal serum prolactin (PRL) levels in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- To investigate the relationship between PRL levels and the degree of skin involvement, clinical, and serological parameters in SSc.
Main Methods:
- Serum PRL levels were measured in 44 SSc patients using a cell proliferation assay.
- Additional markers included PIIINP, IL-2 sRalpha, ICAM-1, vWF, ESR, and CRP.
- Disease activity and skin/organ involvement were assessed using established scales.
Main Results:
- Serum PRL concentrations in SSc patients were similar to controls.
- Hyperprolactinemia (>20 ng/ml) was found in 13.6% of SSc patients (6/44).
- No significant correlations were observed between PRL levels and SSc subgroups, serological parameters, or disease activity.
Conclusions:
- Mild hyperprolactinemia is present in a subset of SSc patients.
- Prospective studies are required to elucidate the precise relationship between PRL and disease activity in SSc.