Role of prolactin in dysmotility-like gastric dyspepsia

The phylogenetic, therapeutic and experimental evidences suggest that the circulating prolactin levels alter the gastric contractility in experimental animals as well as in patients suffering from gastric dyspepsia. The dopamine antagonists are used in the treatment dysmotility-like dyspepsia and could relieve the dyspeptic symptoms. These drugs are potent stimulants for the release of prolactin. Further, in non-ulcer dyspepsia, a primary dysfunction of pituitary lactotrophs has been proposed. Thus, the dysmotility-like gastric dyspepsia is associated with the deficiency of endogenous prolactin levels so as to reduce gastric contractions. This concept brings a new line of thinking in the pathogenesis of dysmotility-like gastric dyspepsia.