Anti-inflammatory effects of bromocriptine in a patient with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2

Excessive prolactin release and/or receptor action may be implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders. We report here a case of a woman who developed Graves' disease and subclinical autoimmune adrenal failure, and was diagnosed as having autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2. Because of coexisting microprolactinoma she was treated with bromocriptine for 24 months. This treatment resulted in a normalization of thyroid and adrenal function tests (with the exception of 21-hydroxylase antibodies) and reduced monocyte cytokine release. Our study indicates that bromocriptine and probably also the remaining prolactin-lowering agents produce anti-inflammatory effects and may prevent or delay the progression of autoimmune disorders of endocrine glands.