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Effect of elevated serum prolactin concentrations on cytokine production and natural killer cell activity

M Clodi1, T Svoboda, H Kotzmann

  • 1Department of Medicine II, University of Vienna, Austria.

Neuroendocrinology
|December 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Chronically high prolactin levels in patients with prolactinomas did not alter immune system parameters. Long-term elevation of prolactin may induce adaptive changes, normalizing immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Immunology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Prolactin, a hormone, has demonstrated immunostimulatory effects in prior in vitro and in vivo studies.
  • Prolactinomas are pituitary tumors causing elevated prolactin levels, necessitating investigation into their systemic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of chronically elevated serum prolactin on the humoral and cellular immune systems in patients with prolactinomas.
  • To compare immune parameters during normalized and high prolactin states.

Main Methods:

  • Studied seven patients with prolactinomas.
  • Assessed humoral immunity (immunoglobulins) and cellular immunity (cytokines, leukocyte subsets, NK cell activity).
  • Measurements were taken during two conditions: normalized prolactin (dopamine agonist treatment) and high prolactin.

Main Results:

  • Key immune parameters, including immunoglobulins, interleukins (1, 3, 6), TNF-alpha, interferon-gamma, soluble IL-2 receptor, leukocyte subsets, and NK cell activity, remained within normal ranges.
  • No significant differences in these immune markers were observed between the normalized and high prolactin states.

Conclusions:

  • Contrary to acute stimulatory effects, long-lasting hyperprolactinemia in prolactinoma patients did not lead to overt immune dysregulation.
  • The findings suggest that the immune system may undergo adaptive changes, mitigating the acute effects of sustained high prolactin concentrations.

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