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Prolactin and interleukin-6 in neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus

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Abstract

We investigated the levels of prolactin (PRL) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with central nervous system involvement (CNS-SLE), and examined whether PRL and IL-6 have a relationship. Serum and CSF PRL and IL-6 were measured in the following groups of patients and controls: group I: seven patients with CNS-SLE; group II: three SLE patients without CNS involvement (non CNS-SLE); group III: 10 patients with neurocysticercosis; and group IV: six healthy women. The patients were clinically assessed. CSF PRL and IL-6 were elevated in group I (CNS-SLE) in comparison with all other groups (p<0.001). In addition, four of seven patients had higher levels of IL-6 and PRL in CSF than in serum. A positive correlation between PRL and IL-6 in CSF of SLE was observed (r=0.88,p<0.001). The mean serum PRL concentrations were not significantly different in all groups, but high levels of IL-6 were found in the serum of group I in comparison with groups II and IV (p<0.001). The serum levels of group III were not different from those of group I. These results demonstrate the presence of intrathecal synthesis and elevations of CSF PRL and IL-6 in active CNS-SLE involvement and indicate that measurements of CSF PRL and IL-6 may be useful in the evaluation of neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Department, Immunology Laboratory and Endocrinology Laboratory, Hospital de Especialidades y Hospital de Gineco-Obstetricia No. 3, C.M. La Raza IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico

    L. J. Jara, L. Irigoyen, M. de J. Ortiz, B. Zazueta & G. Bravo

  2. Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Centre, New Orleans, LA, USA

    L. R. Espinoza

Authors
  1. L. J. Jara
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  2. L. Irigoyen
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  3. M. de J. Ortiz
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  4. B. Zazueta
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  5. G. Bravo
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  6. L. R. Espinoza
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Jara, L.J., Irigoyen, L., Ortiz, M.d.J. et al. Prolactin and interleukin-6 in neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 17, 110–114 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01452255

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01452255

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