Prolactin secretion during reserpine and syrosingopine treatment

In 20 mild hypertensive women, reserpine induced a significant increase in mean plasma PRL, both under basal conditions (from 6.6 +/- 0.9 to 17.9 +/- 2.9 ng/ml), and on repeated determinations during the day. In contrast to reserpine, the administration of syrosingopine, a synthetic compound derived from reserpine, to the same subjects was not followed by a significant change in prolactin level. Beyond their pharmacological interest, these results are of clinical importance when considering that rauwolfia alkaloids are used for long term treatment, and that an increase in PRL levels is important in pathology, both in relation to the function of the hypophyseogonadal axis and in view of its possible facilitation of the growth and development of mammary cancer.