Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Serum prolactin levels were positively related to metabolic indexes and disorders in male obese patients

  • Research
  • Published:
Endocrine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The role of prolactin (PRL) in glucolipid metabolism was inconsistent, and there were few studies on the metabolic role of PRL in obese patients. The study aims to explore association between PRL level and metabolic disorders in male obese patients.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted. Eighty-nine male patients with obesity were included, and their clinical data were recorded.

Results

A total of 89 male obese patients were included in this study. Their average age was 24.5 ± 9.0 years and BMI was 42.8 ± 9.1 kg/m2. The average waist circumference and body fat percentage was 129.6 ± 19.6 cm and 42.9 ± 8.0%, respectively. The median prolactin levels were 10.0 ng/ml (range: 3.93–30.1 ng/ml). 79.0% (49/62) of these patients presented with NAFLD and 77.3% (68/88) of them was dyslipidemia. Further, serum prolactin level was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.225, P = 0.034), body fat percentage (r = 0.326, P = 0.017), ALT (r = 0.273, P = 0.011) and AST (r = 0.245, P = 0.029). Compared with low PRL group (<10 ng/ml), the incidence of morbid obesity and NAFLD was higher in high PRL group (morbid obesity: 71.1% vs 45.5%, P = 0.018 and NAFLD: 91.2% vs 64.3%, P = 0.013). In addition, the risk of NAFLD and morbid obesity in high PRL group (>10 ng/ml) was higher than low PRL group (OR:5.187, 95%CI 1.194–22.544, P = 0.028 and OR: 4.375, 95% CI 1.595–11.994, P = 0.004). The increased risk of NAFLD and morbid obesity in the high PRL group still existed after adjusting for age and Testosterone.

Conclusion

Serum prolactin levels were positively associated with deterioration of metabolic indexes in male obese patients, as well as NAFLD and morbid obesity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Some or all datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  1. B.A. Houssay, E. Anderson, Diabetogenic action of purified anterior pituitary hormones. Endocrinology 45, 627–629 (1949)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Y. Macotela, J. Triebel, C. Clapp, Time for a New Perspective on Prolactin in Metabolism. Trends Endocrinol. Metab. 31, 276–286 (2020)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. C. Schmid, D.L. Goede, R.S. Hauser et al. Increased prevalence of high Body Mass Index in patients presenting with pituitary tumours: severe obesity in patients with macroprolactinoma. Swiss. Med. Wkly 136, 254–258 (2006)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. H. Soran, J. Wilding, I. MacFarlane, Body weight and prolactinoma: a retrospective study. Int J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord. 28, 183 (2004)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. R. Pelkonen, E.A. Nikkilä, B. Grahne, Serum lipids, postheparin plasma lipase activities and glucose tolerance in patients with prolactinoma. Clin. Endocrinol. 16, 383–390 (1982)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. T. Wang, J. Lu, Y. Xu et al. Circulating prolactin associates with diabetes and impaired glucose regulation: a population-based study. Diabetes Care 36, 1974–1980 (2013)

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. L. Balbach, H. Wallaschofski, H. Völzke et al. Serum prolactin concentrations as risk factor of metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes? BMC Endocr. Disord. 13, 12 (2013)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. X. Ruiz-Herrera, deLos Ríos, E.A. Díaz, J. M., et al. Prolactin Promotes Adipose Tissue Fitness and Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Males. Endocrinology 158, 56–68 (2017)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. S. Park, D.S. Kim, J.W. Daily et al. Serum prolactin concentrations determine whether they improve or impair β-cell function and insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats. Diabetes Metab. Res Rev. 27, 564–574 (2011)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. R. Pirchio, C. Graziadio, A. Colao et al. Metabolic effects of prolactin. Front Endocrinol. 13, 1015520 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. F. Lopez-Vicchi, S.R. Ladyman, A.M. Ornstein et al. Chronic high prolactin levels impact on gene expression at discrete hypothalamic nuclei involved in food intake. FASEB J. 34, 3902–3914 (2020)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. A. Colao, A.D. Sarno, P. Cappabianca et al. Gender differences in the prevalence, clinical features and response to cabergoline in hyperprolactinemia. Eur. J. Endocrinol. 148, 325–331 (2003)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. X. Wang, B. Ma, G. Li et al. Glucose-Lipid Metabolism in Obesity with Elevated Prolactin Levels and Alteration of Prolactin Levels After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. Obes. Surg. 30, 4004–4013 (2020)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. B. Ernst, M. Thurnheer, B. Schultes, Basal serum prolactin levels in obesity-unrelated to parameters of the metabolic syndrome and unchanged after massive weight loss. Obes. Surg. 19, 1159–1162 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. R. Scaglione, M.R. Averna, M.A. Dichiara et al. Thyroid function and release of thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin from the pituitary in human obesity. J. Int. Med. Res. 19, 389–394 (1991)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Chinese Medical Association Endocrinology Branch Obesity Group, Chinese experts consensus on prevention and treatment of obesity. Chin. J. Endocrinol. Metab. 27, 711–717 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  17. M.A. Ricci, S. De Vuono, M. Scavizzi et al. Facing Morbid Obesity: How to Approach It. Angiology 67, 391–397 (2016)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Chinese joint committee on the revision of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in adults, Chinese guidelines for prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in adults (2016 revision). Chin. Circulation J. 31, 937–953 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  19. A.M. Perak, H. Ning, B.K. Kit et al. Trends in Levels of Lipids and Apolipoprotein B in US Youths Aged 6 to 19 Years, 1999-2016. JAMA 321, 1895–1905 (2019)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Joint Committee for Guideline Revision, 2018 Chinese Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension-A report of the Revision Committee of Chinese Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension. J. Geriatr. Cardiol. 16, 182–241 (2019)

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. J.T. Flynn, D.C. Kaelber, C.M. Baker-Smith et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics 140, e20171904 (2017)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Multi-Disciplinary Expert Task Force on Hyperuricemia and Its Related Diseases, Chinese multi-disciplinary consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of hyperuricemia and its related diseases. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 56, 235–248 (2017)

  23. National Guideline, C., National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Guidelines, in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Assessment and Management. 2016, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

  24. K.G. Alberti, P. Zimmet, J. Shaw, The metabolic syndrome-a new worldwide definition. Lancet 366, 1059–1062 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. N. Ahn, S.E. Baumeister et al. Visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and product of triglycerides and glucose (TyG) to discriminate prediabetes and diabetes. Sci. Rep. 9, 9693 (2019)

    Article  ADS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. S. Xu, X. Gu, H. Pan et al. Reference ranges for serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in Chinese children during childhood and adolescence. Endocr. J. 57, 221–228 (2010)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. H. Zhu, Y. Xu, F. Gong et al. Reference ranges for serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in healthy Chinese adults. PLoS One 12, e0185561 (2017)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Luque, G.M. Lopez-Vicchi, F. Ornstein et al. Chronic hyperprolactinemia evoked by disruption of lactotrope dopamine D2 receptors impacts on liver and adipocyte genes related to glucose and insulin balance. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 311, E974–e988 (2016)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. M.I. Perez Millan, G.M. Luque, M.C. Ramirez et al. Selective disruption of dopamine D2 receptors in pituitary lactotropes increases body weight and adiposity in female mice. Endocrinology 155, 829–839 (2014)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. L.D. Ratner, G. Stevens, M.M. Bonaventura et al. Hyperprolactinemia induced by hCG leads to metabolic disturbances in female mice. J. Endocrinol. 230, 157–169 (2016)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. M. Freemark, D. Fleenor, P. Driscoll et al. Body weight and fat deposition in prolactin receptor-deficient mice. Endocrinology 142, 532–537 (2001)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. M.C. Nunes, L.G. Sobrinho, C. Calhaz-Jorge et al. Psychosomatic factors in patients with hyperprolactinemia and/or galactorrhea. Obstet. Gynecol. 55, 591–595 (1980)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. A.S. Posawetz, C. Trummer, M. Pandis et al. Adverse body composition and lipid parameters in patients with prolactinoma: a case-control study. BMC Endocr. Disord. 21, 81 (2021)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. L.G. Sobrinho, N.D. Horseman, Prolactin and human weight disturbances: A puzzling and neglected association. Rev. Endocr. Metab. Disord. 20, 197–206 (2019)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. A.S. Netjasov, S. Vujović, M. Ivović et al. Relationships between obesity, lipids and fasting glucose in the menopause. Srp. Arh. Celok. Lek. 141, 41–47 (2013)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. S. Harvey, C. Arámburo, E.J. Sanders, Extrapituitary production of anterior pituitary hormones: an overview. Endocrine 41, 19–30 (2012)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. C. Zhu, H. Ma, D. Huang et al. J-Shaped Relationship Between Serum Prolactin and Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Female Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Front. Endocrinol. 13, 815995 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. P. Zhang, Z. Ge, H. Wang et al. Prolactin improves hepatic steatosis via CD36 pathway. J. Hepatol. 68, 1247–1255 (2018)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. J. Zhang, J. Guan, X. Tang, J. Xu, Prolactin is a Key Factor for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children. Horm. Metab. Res. 55, 251–255 (2023)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Y. Zhang, H. Liu, Cross-sectional association between prolactin levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective analysis of patients from a single hospital in China. BMJ Open 12, e062252 (2022)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. P. Zhang, W. Feng, X. Chu, X. Sun, D. Zhu, Y. Bi, A newly noninvasive model for prediction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: utility of serum prolactin levels. BMC Gastroenterol. 19, 202 (2019)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. S.A. Polyzos, J. Kountouras, C.S. Mantzoros, Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: From pathophysiology to therapeutics. Metabolism 92, 82–97 (2019)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. O. Serri, L. Li, J.C. Mamputu et al. The influences of hyperprolactinemia and obesity on cardiovascular risk markers: effects of cabergoline therapy. Clin. Endocrinol. 64, 366–370 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. R.L. Sorenson, T.C. Brelje, C. Roth, Effects of steroid and lactogenic hormones on islets of Langerhans: a new hypothesis for the role of pregnancy steroids in the adaptation of islets to pregnancy. Endocrinology 13, 2227–2234 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. D.E. Fleenor, M. Freemark, Prolactin induction of insulin gene transcription: roles of glucose and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5. Endocrinology 142, 2805–2810 (2001)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. A. Petryk, D. Fleenor, P. Driscoll et al. Prolactin induction of insulin gene expression: the roles of glucose and glucose transporter-2. J. Endocrinol. 164, 277–286 (2000)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. S.Y. Kim, Y.A. Sung, K.S. Ko et al. Direct relationship between elevated free testosterone and insulin resistance in hyperprolactinemic women. Korean J. Intern. Med. 8, 8–14 (1993)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. M.C. Foss, F.J. Paula, G.M. Paccola, C.E. Piccinato, Peripheral glucose metabolism in human hyperprolactinaemia. Clin. Endocrinol. 43, 721–726 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. J. Li, M.S. Rice et al. Circulating prolactin concentrations and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women. Diabetologia 61, 2549–2560 (2018)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. G. Corona, G. Rastrelli, V. Boddi et al. Prolactin levels independently predict major cardiovascular events in patients with erectile dysfunction. Int. J. Androl. 34, 217–224 (2011)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. N.A. Pala, B.A. Laway, R.A. Misgar, R.A. Dar, Metabolic abnormalities in patients with prolactinoma: response to treatment with cabergoline. Diabetol. Metab. Syndr. 7, 99 (2015)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. K. Berinder et al. Insulin sensitivity and lipid profile in prolactinoma patients before and after normalization of prolactin by dopamine agonist therapy. Pituitary 14(3), 199–207 (2011)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. E.C. Naliato, A.H. Violante, M. Gaccione et al. Body fat in men with prolactinoma. J. Endocrinological Investig. 31, 985–990 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. E.C. Naliato, A.H. Violante, D. Caldas et al. Body fat in nonobese women with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists. Clin. Endocrinol. 67, 845–852 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. C.M. dos Santos Silva, F.R. Barbosa, G.A. Lima et al. BMI and metabolic profile in patients with prolactinoma before and after treatment with dopamine agonists. Obesity 19, 800–805 (2011)

Download references

Author contributors

X.K.: Investigation, Writing, Original draft preparation. L.W.: Resources and Writing-Reviewing. Y.Z.: Resources and Investigation. L.D.: Resources and Writing-Reviewing. K.D.: Resources and Writing-Reviewing. Y.Y.: Resources and Writing-Reviewing. H.P.: Resources and Writing-Reviewing., F.G.: Resources, Writing-Reviewing and Methodology. H.Z.: Conceptualization, Writing-Reviewing and Editing, Resources.

Funding

This study was supported by National High-Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-PUMCH-A-064) and National High-Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-PUMCH-B-016).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Chinese Research Center for Behavior Medicine in Growth and Development, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China

    Xiaoan Ke, Linjie Wang, Yuxing Zhao, Lian Duan, Hui Pan, Fengying Gong & Huijuan Zhu

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 100730, Beijing, China

    Kan Deng & Yong Yao

Authors
  1. Xiaoan Ke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Linjie Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yuxing Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lian Duan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kan Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yong Yao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Hui Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Fengying Gong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Huijuan Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Huijuan Zhu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval

This study was ethically approved by the institutional review board (IRB) of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (HS-1129).

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ke, X., Wang, L., Zhao, Y. et al. Serum prolactin levels were positively related to metabolic indexes and disorders in male obese patients. Endocrine (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-024-03743-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-024-03743-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation