Serum prolactin concentration and hypothalamic-pituitary hormone release in CF-children
S Wiersbitzky1, E H Ballke, E Abel
1Dept. of Pediatrics, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Greifswald.
Insights
Elevated prolactin (PROL) and TSH levels in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients appear to be a regulatory response, not linked to the disease's core defect. The neurohormonal prolactin system functions normally in CF.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Experimental animal data suggest prolactin (PROL) influences sweat production and chloride concentration.
- Understanding hormonal regulation in cystic fibrosis (CF) is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum prolactin (PROL) levels and hypothalamic-pituitary function in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).
- To determine if hormonal alterations in CF are linked to the disease's fundamental pathology.
Main Methods:
- Serum PROL levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 38 CF patients and 48 with bronchial asthma.
- A metoclopramide test was conducted on 30 children (CF, asthma, pyelonephritis) to assess PROL, LH, FSH, TSH, and HGH release.
Main Results:
- No significant overall PROL concentration differences were found between CF and asthma groups, though TSH was elevated in CF.
- CF females and children under 12 showed significantly higher PROL levels.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary system demonstrated normal hormone release in all tested groups.
Conclusions:
- The neurohormonal prolactin system is normal in CF patients.
- Increased serum PROL and TSH in CF are likely regulatory phenomena, not indicative of a basic disease mechanism.
Abstract:
Some experimental data from animals suggest that prolactin (PROL) is involved in sweat production and modulates the chloride concentration of sweat. We determined the serum PROL level by RIA in 38 CF-patients (age: 3-24 years) and 48 patients with bronchial asthma (age: 2-18 years) and found no concentration differences between the two groups each taken as a whole; the TSH level was increased in CF (p less than 0.05). Separate analysis showed a significantly higher PROL level in CF-females and in CF-children (male and female) under 12 years old (p less than 0.05). To assess the hypothalamic-pituitary system we performed the metoclopramide test (by Cerucal) on 30 children suffering from CF (n = 10), bronchial asthma (n = 10) or pyelonephritis (n = 10) for PROL, LH, FSH, TSH and HGH. The hormone release was normal for all kinds checked in all groups of patients. Hence it follows that the neurohormonal system of prolactin is normal in CF-patients and the increased serum PROL and TSH concentrations in CF should be seen as a regulatory phenomenon but not as a mechanism associated with the basic defect of the CF-disease.
More Related Videos
05:44Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Published on: May 17, 2024
05:56Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:23Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
01:19Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology