High-normal prolactin levels are associated with lower carotid intima media thickness but greater arterial stiffness and an overall improved metabolic profile in premenopausal women

The Mediterranean Diet Benefit on Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Erectile Function in Chronic Heart Failure Male Patients by Decoding Central and Peripheral Vessel Rheology

“…Regarding the role of prolactin in heart and vessels diseases, it is increasingly recognized that this hormone is involved in cardiovascular pathophysiology, exerting pleiotropic unfavourable haemodynamic and pro-atherosclerotic actions, raising overall cardiovascular risk [ 6 , 9 , 28 , 29 ]. Hyperprolactinaemia has been related to endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness [ 3 ], low-grade inflammation [ 2 , 5 ], increased thromboembolic risk [ 7 ] and dyslipidemia [ 2 ].…”

“…For example, plasma prolactin levels are elevated in conditions such as the acute phase of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack, hypertension and preeclampsia, while evidence suggests a causative role of prolactin in postpartum cardiomyopathy [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 28 ]. Furthermore, prolactin may accelerate arteriosclerosis in women in early menopause by increasing central as well as peripheral blood pressure and arterial stiffness [ 9 ]. Prolactin levels seem to have a prognostic role of future CVD events in men with erectile dysfunction [ 2 ] and was associated with all-cause and CVD mortality in the general population, as well as in patients with chronic kidney disease [ 8 ].…”

“…Subjects with untreated prolactinoma presented increased carotid IMT [ 31 ], whereas in premenopausal women high-normal prolactin levels were shown to correlate with lower carotid IMT [ 32 ]. In post mortem human coronary arteries obtained after endarterectomy, increased expression of prolactin receptor was found in advanced atherosclerotic arterial walls, whereas no expression was detected in non-significant atherosclerotic lesion, suggesting a modulating role of prolactin in atherosclerosis process [ 9 ]. According to our findings, the MedDiet may indeed mitigate the atheromatic effect of prolactin, as high adherence to MedDiet was negatively associated both with IMT and circulating prolactin, suggesting a beneficial atheroprotective effect in patients with systolic heart failure and systolic dysfunction.…”

“…Erectile dysfunction (ED) is strongly correlated with sex-hormones and prolactin levels, and has been used as a proxy of quality of life. ED has been related with hemodynamic status and seems to display peripheral vessel rheology, even in patients with atherosclerosis and CHF, while the role of serum prolactin role is still debated in CHF mechanisms is still under consideration [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”