The lipoprotein profile of women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipoprotein profile in women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and to establish whether effective dopamine agonist therapy might have a beneficial effect. Blood samples were collected from women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and from controls matched for age, body mass index and smoking. Follow-up blood samples were collected from women on dopamine agonist therapy as treatment for their hyperprolactinaemia. Plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, serum oestradiol and prolactin were measured. No statistically significant differences were found in the lipoprotein profile of the patient (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. During treatment with the dopamine agonist, bromocriptine (n = 9), significant reduction in total cholesterol [4.87 (3.98-5.87) versus 5.60 (4.55-6.61) mmol/l, P = 0.024] and LDL cholesterol [3.22 (2.01-4.23) versus 3.72 (2.59-4.93) mmol/l, P = 0.033] was noted. We conclude that beneficial alterations in the lipoprotein profile may occur in response to effective dopamine agonist therapy, presumably as a consequence of return of ovarian function and alleviation of oestrogen deficiency. Women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea should be encouraged to take effective therapy to improve their lipoprotein profile and potentially reduce their cardiovascular risk.

Lipoprotein levels following treatment with cyproterone acetate or LHRH analogues.

Fasting serum lipoproteins were measured in patients with carcinoma of the prostate. Twelve patients were on no hormonal treatment (Group 1). Fifteen were on cyproterone acetate (Group 3), 17 were on the long-acting LHRH analogue Zoladex (Group 4) and 11 on a combination of cyproterone acetate and Zoladex (group 5). In addition, 27 patients with benign urological disease were taken as controls (Group 2). In both groups in which cyproterone acetate was part of the treatment the total high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower than in the other groups. Patients on cyproterone acetate alone had significantly higher levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride levels than those not on cyproterone acetate. These results confirm changes in serum lipoprotein levels in patients taking cyproterone acetate and these changes may have potential adverse effects if the treatment is prolonged.