Serum Prolactin Level and Inflammation in Chronic Kidney Disease

Back Ground and Objectives: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major prevalent disease worldwide associated with low grade systemic inflammation, which predisposes individuals to higher incidence of atherosclerotic complications. The pituitary hormone prolactin has recently been regarded as a local regulator of macrophage responses. Both prolactin clearance and production are altered in CKD. Emerging evidences suggests that prolactin participates in atherosclerotic processes in cases of peri /post partum cardiomyopathy and hypertension. Given the elevated cardiovascular risk of CKD, this study is intended to estimate the levels of prolactin and tumor Necrosis Factor α, an inflammatory marker in CKD and to decipher if there is are significant interactions between these variables.

Methods: The study population included 45 CKD and 45 healthy controls of either gender. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and Serum creatinine were measured in the fasting sample collected from both the groups. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) was calculated using MDRD formula. Serum prolactin levels and tumor necrosis factor α was estimated by ELISA method.

Results: The study found highly significant increase in serum TNF-α levels (8.64±4.97/2.06±1.34 pg/ml, p<0.001) and serum prolactin levels (61.65±28.9/11.76±8.55 ng/ml, p<0.001) in cases when compared to controls There was no correlation between eGFR and prolactin of cases in different stages of CKD. No correlation was found between prolactin and TNF in all the stages of CKD.

Interpretation and Conclusion: The increased prolactin levels acts independently in increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in cases of CKD superimposing on low grade inflammation.