Prolactin Concentrations as Risk Factor of MetS or T2D?
Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone essential for various physiological functions in the human body. It is not only important for the initiation and maintenance of lactation, but seems to be also involved in reproduction, growth and development, osmoregulation, immune regulation, brain function, behaviour, and metabolism. These different functions of PRL can only be fulfilled due to the fact that the PRL receptor is expressed in different tissues and cells such as lymphoid cells, endometrium, prostate, and adipocytes.
The metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, is often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although previous investigations about the potential effects of PRL in T2DM and its complications are scarce, existing experimental studies suggest an influence of PRL on T2DM via its metabolic effects on adipose tissue, development and growth of pancreatic ß-cells, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism. The ability of PRL to stimulate insulin and suppress adiponectin as well as interleukin-6 release further suggests a potential role in the manifestation of insulin resistance. But although these studies support the view that PRL promotes the growth and survival of pancreatic ß-cells and supports insulin secretion, other studies were not able to detect any correlation between PRL and metabolic disturbances.
An observational study among erectile dysfunction patients showed an association between low PRL concentrations and adverse cardiovascular risk profiles and events. However, in most of these previous studies the correlation between PRL and cardiometabolic risk factors including MetS or T2DM were not the main focus. Furthermore, previous studies were conducted in comparably small and selected patient populations without consideration of major confounding factors. Therefore, we aimed to investigate potential associations of PRL with MetS and T2DM using a large, representative sample of 3,993 individuals from the population-based longitudinal cohort Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).
Background
Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone essential for various physiological functions in the human body. It is not only important for the initiation and maintenance of lactation, but seems to be also involved in reproduction, growth and development, osmoregulation, immune regulation, brain function, behaviour, and metabolism. These different functions of PRL can only be fulfilled due to the fact that the PRL receptor is expressed in different tissues and cells such as lymphoid cells, endometrium, prostate, and adipocytes.
The metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, is often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although previous investigations about the potential effects of PRL in T2DM and its complications are scarce, existing experimental studies suggest an influence of PRL on T2DM via its metabolic effects on adipose tissue, development and growth of pancreatic ß-cells, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism. The ability of PRL to stimulate insulin and suppress adiponectin as well as interleukin-6 release further suggests a potential role in the manifestation of insulin resistance. But although these studies support the view that PRL promotes the growth and survival of pancreatic ß-cells and supports insulin secretion, other studies were not able to detect any correlation between PRL and metabolic disturbances.
An observational study among erectile dysfunction patients showed an association between low PRL concentrations and adverse cardiovascular risk profiles and events. However, in most of these previous studies the correlation between PRL and cardiometabolic risk factors including MetS or T2DM were not the main focus. Furthermore, previous studies were conducted in comparably small and selected patient populations without consideration of major confounding factors. Therefore, we aimed to investigate potential associations of PRL with MetS and T2DM using a large, representative sample of 3,993 individuals from the population-based longitudinal cohort Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).
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