Role of Prolactin in Pregnancy Hypertension

Abstract

In 51 patients with pregnancy hypertension (H) and 51 normotensive gravid women (N), matched for age of gestation, plasma prolactin was measured at 8.30 am (PRL1) and 9.30 am (PRL2) in basal conditions and after 10 minutes of upright posture (PRL3). While in N there was a fall from PRL1 to PRL2 which was nonsignificant, in H there was a significant fall from PRL1 to PRL2. With upright posture there was a further decrease in prolactin in N and a significant increase in H. With multiple regression analysis, systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not show any independent relations with PRL1, PRL2 and PRL3, while serum proteins and proteinuria showed a significant relation with PRL1, as did serum proteins, serum potassium and serum urate with PRL2 and serum urate with PRL3. As has been suggested in primary hypertension, a certain increase in peripheral sympathetic tone, dependent on a decreased central dopaminergic activity, may be present in patients who develop pregnancy hypertension compared to normotensive pregnant controls and may be involved in the pathogenesis of pregnancy hypertension.

Maternal and fetal prolactin in pregnancy-induced hypertension

“…Plasma prolactin was measured by means of double antibody RIA (Kit Biodata on Kemptek 3.300) as already described in a previous paper (Marlettini et al 1987). PRA, urinary aldosterone, total plasma oestriol and human placental lactogen were measured as already reported in the above mentioned paper (Marlettini et al 1987).…”

Prolactin Levels, Endothelial Dysfunction, and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients with CKD

“…For example, prolactin elevations occur in essential hypertension (10) and during the acute phase of coronary syndromes, ischemic strokes, transient ischemic attacks (11)(12)(13), and preeclampsia (14,15), playing a causative role in the heart failure that accompanies postpartum cardiomyopathy (16). Prolactin levels predicted major cardiovascular events in men with erectile dysfunction (17), and increased expression of prolactin receptors was found in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques (18).…”

Prolactin and Preclinical Atherosclerosis in Menopausal Women With Cardiovascular Risk Factors

“…1 In later years, isolated reports suggested a discrete role of prolactin in the human cardiovascular system. As shown recently, high levels of prolactin play a pathogenetic role in preeclampsia, 2,3 affecting peripheral sympathetic tone, and may be a useful diagnostic marker for this syndrome. Prolactin blood levels are higher in men with essential hypertension, whereas lowering these levels may contribute to blood pressure control.…”