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Prolactin and the gut: a controversy
Insights
Plasma prolactin levels do not indicate intestinal regeneration in children. Researchers found no correlation between prolactin and jejunal mucosal growth or repair, despite detecting prolactin-like material in the gut lining.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Prolactin is a hormone suggested to influence intestinal mucosal growth.
- Understanding factors controlling gut regeneration is crucial for pediatric digestive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma prolactin levels and jejunal mucosal regeneration in children.
- To determine if prolactin serves as a biomarker for intestinal healing.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma prolactin levels in 166 children undergoing jejunal biopsy.
- Analyzed biopsies for histological changes, age, and diagnosis (including celiac disease).
- Utilized immunoperoxidase staining to detect prolactin-like material in jejunal mucosa.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in plasma prolactin levels were observed between children with normal, partially atrophied, or flat jejunal mucosa.
- Plasma prolactin levels did not correlate with age or specific gastrointestinal diagnoses.
- Prolactin-like material was found in jejunal epithelial cells, but its presence did not correlate with plasma prolactin levels or mucosal histology.
Conclusions:
- Plasma prolactin is not a reliable marker for jejunal regeneration in pediatric patients.
- The biological role and origin of the detected prolactin-like material in the jejunum require further investigation.
Abstract:
Previous reports suggest that prolactin could be one of the factors controlling intestinal mucosal growth. Therefore plasma levels of prolactin have been measured at the time of jejunal biopsy performed for suspicion of celiac disease. One hundred eighty-seven biopsies from 166 children have been reviewed according to histology, age, diagnosis, and plasma prolactin. No difference in the plasma prolactin could be detected among a group of 117 normal biopsies (9.4 +/- 0.4 ng/ml, mean +/- SEM), 31 biopsies with partial atrophy of various degree (9.0 +/- 0.9 ng/ml), and 39 biopsies with flat mucosa (9.1 +/- 0.7 ng/ml), nor could we demonstrate an increase in prolactin according to age and diagnosis (celiac disease before and after treatment, cow's milk protein intolerance, isolated postenteritic syndrome, selective sugar intolerance, and functional gut problems). Prolactinlike material has been detected by immunoperoxidase in the jejunal mucosa. The intracellular granules are located in the infranuclear portion of isolated epithelial cells mainly in the crypts. This material could not be correlated with the corresponding prolactinemias, whatever the histological appearance of the mucosa. These results would suggest that plasma prolactin is not a marker of jejunal regeneration in children. The nature and function(s) of this prolactinlike material remain to be established.