Is prolactin involved in the evolution of atherothrombotic disease?

• DOI: 10.1586/eem.12.23
• Publication Date: 2012-05-18T12:24:44Z
• Authors: Anne Q Reuwer; Menno Hoekstra; Philippe Touraine; Marcel ThB Twickler; Vincent Goffin
• Keywords: Therapeutic approach

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for approximately 30% of all deaths globally. The most important cause CVD is atherothrombosis, in other words, narrowing the arteries as a result deposition cholesterol and lipoid substances within arterial wall. Several endocrine disorders have been linked to this pathological state. Recent clinical experimental studies suggested that prolactin, pleiotropic pituitary hormone, may potentially contribute CVD, either through direct modulation local cellular processes atherosclerotic plaques/thrombi and/or influencing conventional cardiovascular metabolic risk factors. However, precise role prolactin pathology remains largely unknown. Here, authors speculate whether prolactin-lowering treatment become future therapeutic approach patients with elevated levels concomitantly presenting coexisting vascular disease or significantly premature atherothrombotic disease. Awareness these new developments also change our opinions about strategies prolactinomas.