Changes in Prolactin and Insulin Resistance in PCOS Patients Undergoing Metformin Treatment: A Retrospective Study

Background: Prolactin levels have been shown to influence metabolic outcomes, including insulin resistance. Metformin is known to be beneficial in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. PCOS women might react differently to metformin treatment depending on their baseline prolactin levels. Methods: In this retrospective study, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the LH:FSH ratio, and total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in 75 obese/overweight women with PCOS and insulin resistance before initiation of metformin treatment and after 6-8 months. Results: At baseline, HOMA-IR was inversely correlated to SHBG (r = -0.408; p < 0.001) and prolactin (r = -0.402; p < 0.001). After 6-8 months of metformin treatment, the LH:FSH ratio and the HOMA-IR declined significantly (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation could be shown between basal prolactin and the difference in the HOMA-IR (r = 0.233; p = 0.044). Women with lower baseline prolactin (≤14.9 ng/mL) revealed a sharper decline in HOMA-IR (-0.8, IQR -1.0; -0.5 vs. -0.6, IQR -0.8; -0.3; p = 0.049) as well as an increase in prolactin at follow-up (1.6 ng/mL, IQR -0.2;3.8 vs. -1.3, IQR -4.6;3.2; p = 0.003) compared to patients with a baseline prolactin > 14.9 ng/mL. Conclusions: In overweight/obese, insulin-resistant PCOS women, lower baseline prolactin levels are associated with higher baseline HOMA-IR levels as well as with a better response to metformin treatment. More data are necessary to prove these observations in larger populations.