possible role of serum prolactin analysis in diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Prolactin [PRL] belongs to the growth and lactogenic hormone family and has potent immunomodulating properties. Mild hyperprolactinemia has been found to enhance several autoimmune diseases and increased PRL plasma levels have been described in multiple sclerosis [MS]. As studies of PRL serum levels in MS patients have led to conflicting results we tried in this study to clarify the question of prolactin alterations in MS. We correlated serum PRL baseline value in 15 MS patients with disease course, activity and clinical severity compared with 20 sex and age- matched healthy controls. We excluded conditions leading to rise in PRL; such as pregnancy and lactation. Serum PRL levels were measured in fasting blood samples. We recorded the duration, subtypes, clinical manifestation and the expanded disability status score [EDSS] for each case of the MS patients. There was a statistically significant difference between patients and control groups. There was a high percentage of subjects with elevated PRL levels among the patient group[20%] [p=0.036*]. There was no statistical significant relationship between the patients with elevated serum PRL levels and the duration, activity and EDSS of the disease. The results were discussed from the fact that PRL does not seem to be relevant as an activity marker in whole MS patients. It is not clear whether PRL is primarily involved in the pathogenesis of MS or just exists as a secondary phenomenon depending on the localization of MS plaques