Metabolic Effects of Prolactin and the Role of Dopamine Agonists: A Review

Overview

Journal Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2022 Oct 17

PMID 36246929

Authors

Polly Kirsch

Jessica Kunadia

Shruti Shah

Nidhi Agrawal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone that is well known for its role in reproductive physiology. Recent studies highlight its role in neurohormonal appetite regulation and metabolism. Elevated prolactin levels are widely associated with worsening metabolic disease, but it appears that low prolactin levels could also be metabolically unfavorable. This review discusses the pathophysiology of prolactin related metabolic changes, and the less commonly recognized effects of prolactin on adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, and small bowel. Furthermore, the effect of dopamine agonists on the metabolic profiles of patients with hyperprolactinemia are discussed as well.

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