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Brain Research Jun 2024Prolactin has been recognized as neuroprotective hormone against various types of neuronal damage. This study was aimed to determine if prolactin protects against...
Prolactin has been recognized as neuroprotective hormone against various types of neuronal damage. This study was aimed to determine if prolactin protects against streptozotocin injury. A series of experiments were performed to determine neuronal survival by counting total neurons in medial hippocampus cortex and cerebellum. Astrogliosis was determined by immunofluorescence assays using GFAP, and behavioral improvement by prolactin after neuronal damage was determined by open-field and light-dark box tests. Results demonstrated that prolactin induced significant neuronal survival in both the hippocampus and cortex, but not in the cerebellum. No increase in astrogliosis was identified, but a significant reduction in anxiety levels was observed. Overall data indicate that prolactin may protect against a complex form of cell damage including oxidant stress and metabolic disruption by streptozotocin. Prolactin may be helpful strategy in the treatment of neuronal damage in neurological diseases.
PubMed: 38945469
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149104 -
Steroids Jun 2024Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used widely, but in illegal ways mostly by young men as performance-enhancing and image-enhancing drugs (IPED). long-term usage of...
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used widely, but in illegal ways mostly by young men as performance-enhancing and image-enhancing drugs (IPED). long-term usage of AAS, usually in conjunction with other illegal substances, can have extremely detrimental impacts on the reproductive system. The primary goal of this study was to examine any possible detrimental effects of AAS on sex hormone levels, a liver and kidney function in individuals who frequent fitness centers in Iraq-Baghdad. In this research, there are 60 participants (20-37 years old); 30 athletes who visited the different gyms in Baghdad/ Iraq and used AAS such as testosterone, Boldenone, Cybontae, Deca Durabellin; and 30 athletes who did not take any synthetics hormones and serve as control. All participants answered the questionnaire form which included their age, the type of used AAS, when they started to take it, and the total usage number per week. The blood (5 ml) was drawn from every participant to separate the serum. The serum was used to measure some hormones (Testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin and Estrodiol) and liver and kidney function parameters. The results showed a significantly lower level of testosterone and FSH in the AAS-users' bodybuilding group compared to the control group. In comparison with the control group, there was a notable rise in the PRL level in the serum of AA users. However, when comparing the serum levels of LH and Estrodiol in the AAS-user group to those in the control group, no discernible variations were seen. AAS users had a significantly higher level of ALT and lower ALP than controls, although there is no difference in AST levels between the two groups. The creatine level was significantly higher in the AAS-user compared to the control group, but not urea. In conclusion, the effects of AAS and other supplements on sex hormones and kidney, liver function, and vary depending on how long they are used, with the effects of AAS being more pronounced. Therefore, there is a need for culturally sensitive measures to prevent steroid abuse among youth.
PubMed: 38945388
DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109465 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2024The uptake of AA in mammary tissues is affected by prolactin (PRL). To investigate whether PRL-induced AA uptake is involved in L-type AA transporter 1 (LAT1), we...
The uptake of AA in mammary tissues is affected by prolactin (PRL). To investigate whether PRL-induced AA uptake is involved in L-type AA transporter 1 (LAT1), we analyzed the changes of AA in the medium of dairy cow mammary epithelial cells in the presence of PRL or PRL plus BCH, an inhibitor of LAT1. Then Western blot and luciferase assay were used to detect the regulation mechanism of PRL on LAT1 expression and function. Our results showed that Thr, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Tyr, Lys, Phe, and His are LAT1 substrates and could be transported into mammary epithelial cells via LAT1. PRL stimulation increased the uptake of most AA into mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows, however, inhibition of LAT1 transport activity reduced PRL-induced AA uptake, suggesting that the effect of PRL on AA transport depends on LAT1 expression and function. PRL stimulation upregulated LAT1 expression and plasma membrane location not only in dairy cow mammary epithelial cells, but also in mouse mammary epithelial cell line HC11. Western blot showed that PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling could be activated in PRL-stimulated mammary epithelial cells. Treatment of cells with LY294002 decreased PI3K-AKT-mTOR activation, as well LAT1 expression, that in turn decreased milk protein synthesis. Luciferase assay showed PRL treatment increased the promoter activity of LAT1 promoter fragment -419∼-86 bp. Treatment of cells with LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, or SC79, an activator of AKT abolished or promoted the transcriptional activity of this promoter fragment in the presence of PRL. These results suggested that the -419∼-86 bp fragment of LAT1 promoter mediates the action of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling on LAT1 transcription in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows, which in turn increased LAT1 expression and AA uptake.
PubMed: 38945262
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24746 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Jun 2024Isntroduction. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine-gynecological condition affecting a substantial number of women during their reproductive... (Review)
Review
Comparative efficacy of metformin combined with cabergoline versus metformin alone in patients with PCOS and hyperprolactinemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
UNLABELLED
Isntroduction. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine-gynecological condition affecting a substantial number of women during their reproductive years. Metformin (MET) has been shown to improve ovarian function in PCOS-related conditions, while cabergoline is recognized for its powerful and sustained ability to reduce prolactin levels. This study investigates the potential impact of combining cabergoline with metformin while comparing it with metformin alone in the treatment of PCOS alongside hyperprolactinemia.
METHOD
To gather data, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Central. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials involving patients with PCOS and hyperprolactinemia. Outcome measures included changes in the levels of prolactin, testosterone, DHEAS, BMI and menstrual irregularities. RevMan version 5.4 was used to analyze outcomes.
RESULT
This study incorporated three Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) involving 405 participants in total. Patients receiving a combination of metformin and cabergoline experienced significant reductions in prolactin and testosterone levels (p= <0.0001 and p=<0.0001, respectively). Conversely, alterations in DHEAS levels and BMI did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.19 and p = 0.71, respectively). Notably, women solely prescribed metformin exhibited significantly higher rates of menstrual irregularities compared to those receiving both metformin and cabergoline (p=<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
Our analysis underscores the synergistic effect achieved by pairing metformin and cabergoline in patients with PCOS and hyperprolactinemia. However, we encountered only a restricted number of studies meeting our criteria. It is imperative to consistently assess the combined effects of metformin and cabergoline to gain deeper insights into their effectiveness in addressing PCOS and hyperprolactinemia.
PubMed: 38945085
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.06.037 -
Schizophrenia Research Jun 2024Certain antipsychotics elevate prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), potentially affecting cognition, symptoms, and hormone levels....
BACKGROUND
Certain antipsychotics elevate prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), potentially affecting cognition, symptoms, and hormone levels. This study examines the association between prolactin, testosterone, and estrogen and cognition and symptoms in men with SSD, considering antipsychotic medication.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 128 men with SSD and 44 healthy men from two trials. Patients were divided into a prolactin-sparing (n = 53) and prolactin-raising group (n = 75) based on antipsychotic medication. We examined the association between hormones (testosterone, estrogen and prolactin), and cognition and symptoms using backward linear regression. Three domains of cognition were assessed including: processing speed, verbal fluency, and working memory, while symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).
RESULTS
Prolactin levels were highest in the prolactin-raising group, followed by the control group, and lowest in the prolactin-sparing group (H = 45.279, p < .001). Testosterone and estrogen levels did not differ significantly between groups. In the prolactin-raising group, prolactin negatively correlated with testosterone (r(73) = -0.32, p = .005). Higher testosterone predicted better cognitive functioning (working memory: β = 0.20, p = .007, verbal fluency: β = 0.30, p = .001) and lower symptom scores (total: β = -0.21, p = .001; negative: β = -0.24, p = .002) in men with SSD. Conversely, higher estrogen levels related to slower processing speed (β = -0.22, p < .001) and higher symptoms scores (β = 0.23, p = .010) in men with SSD.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest positive associations between testosterone and cognition and symptoms in men with SSD, while suggesting that high prolactin levels could relate to lower testosterone levels, possibly worsening cognition and symptoms in men with SSD.
PubMed: 38944973
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.06.022 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Jun 2024Parental care is regulated by multiple endocrine mechanisms. Among these hormones, prolactin (PRL) is involved in the expression of parental behaviors. Despite the... (Review)
Review
Parental care is regulated by multiple endocrine mechanisms. Among these hormones, prolactin (PRL) is involved in the expression of parental behaviors. Despite the consensus that PRL mediates variation in parental effort with age and body condition, its role in the adjustment of parental effort to fluctuating environmental conditions, including changing predation pressure, still awaits further investigation. To shed light on this knowledge gap, we relied on a long-term monitoring of female common eiders Somateria mollissima (n = 1277 breeding attempts, 2012-2022) incubating under fluctuating predation risk to investigate the link between baseline PRL levels and female minimum age, body condition, clutch size, environmental parameters (predation pressure, climate, nest microhabitat) and hatching success. We predicted that PRL would be higher in older females, those in better condition or incubating larger clutches. We also predicted that females would reduce parental effort when nesting under challenging environmental conditions (high predation pressure or poor climatic conditions), translated into reduced baseline PRL levels. We also explored how variation in PRL levels, female characteristics and environmental parameters were related to hatching success. Following our predictions, PRL levels were positively associated with body condition and female age (before showing a senescent decline in the oldest breeders). However, we did not observe any population-level or individual-level reduction in PRL levels in response to increasing predation pressure. Population-level baseline PRL levels instead increased over the study period, coincident with rising predation threat, but also increasing female body condition and age. While we did not provide evidence for a direct association between baseline PRL levels and predation risk, our results support the idea that elevated baseline PRL levels promote hatching success under internal constraints (in young, inexperienced, breeders or those incubating a large clutch) or constraining environmental conditions (during years of high predation pressure or poor climatic and foraging conditions). Finally, the low repeatability of baseline PRL levels and high interannual variability highlight considerable within-individual flexibility in baseline PRL levels. Further research should explore flexibility in parental effort to changing environmental conditions, focusing on both baseline and stress-induced PRL levels.
PubMed: 38936675
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114574 -
The Journal of Nutrition Jun 2024Infertility impacts 16% of North American couples, with male factor infertility contributing to ∼30% of cases. Reproductive hormones, especially testosterone, are...
BACKGROUND
Infertility impacts 16% of North American couples, with male factor infertility contributing to ∼30% of cases. Reproductive hormones, especially testosterone, are essential for spermatogenesis. Age-independent population-level decline in testosterone concentrations over the past few decades has been proposed to be a result of diet and lifestyle changes. Vitamin B is present in the testes and has been suggested as an adjuvant nutritional therapy for male infertility due to its potential to improve sperm parameters. However, evidence examining the relationship between vitamin B and reproductive hormones is limited.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to cross-sectionally examine the relationship between serum vitamin B and male reproductive hormones (luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, total testosterone, estradiol and prolactin).
METHODS
Men with infertility (n = 303) were recruited from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Serum was analyzed for vitamin B and reproductive hormones. Statistical analyses included non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, linear regression, logistic regression and effect modification by age and BMI linear regressions.
RESULTS
An independent monotonic relationship between serum vitamin B and total testosterone (rho = 0.19, P = 0.001) was observed. Serum vitamin B was linearly associated with total testosterone (unadjusted ß = 0.0007, P = 0.008 and adjusted ß = 0.0005, P = 0.03). Compared to individuals in the lowest tertile of serum vitamin B, those in the middle tertile (adjusted OR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.25, 0.93], P = 0.03) and the highest tertile (unadjusted OR = 0.41, 95% CI [0.22, 0.77], P = 0.005 and adjusted OR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.22, 0.87], P = 0.02) had reduced odds of testosterone deficiency.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that among men with infertility, low serum vitamin B is associated with higher risk of testosterone deficiency and impaired androgenic hormonal profiles that impact spermatogenesis and consequently, fertility.
PubMed: 38936552
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.013 -
MicroPublication Biology 2024Hormones estrogen and prolactin exert independent effects on breast cancer while their crosstalk synergistically enhance breast cancer cell proliferation. We have...
Hormones estrogen and prolactin exert independent effects on breast cancer while their crosstalk synergistically enhance breast cancer cell proliferation. We have previously shown that the serine/threonine kinase PAK1 is responsible for this effect and proposed the mechanism of PAK1 action. Here we extended our previous data to demonstrate that the PAK1 kinase is a common interplay in PRL and E2 crosstalk to regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell migration and invasiveness of human breast cancer cells.
PubMed: 38933712
DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001195 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The global prevalence of obesity is a pressing health issue, increasing the medical burden and posing significant health risks to humans. The side effects and...
The global prevalence of obesity is a pressing health issue, increasing the medical burden and posing significant health risks to humans. The side effects and complications associated with conventional medication and surgery have spurred the search for anti-obesity drugs from plant resources. Previous studies have suggested that Folium (Aiye) water extracts could inhibit pancreatic lipase activities, control body weight increase, and improve the plasma lipids profile. However, the exact components and mechanisms were not precisely understood. Therefore, this research aims to identify the chemical profile of Aiye and provide a comprehensive prediction of its anti-obesity mechanisms. The water extract of Aiye was subjected to LC-MS analysis, which identified 30 phenolics. The anti-obesity mechanisms of these phenolics were then predicted, employing network pharmacology and molecular docking. Among the 30 phenolics, 21 passed the drug-likeness screening and exhibited 486 anti-obesity targets. The enrichment analysis revealed that these phenolics may combat obesity through PI3K-Akt signaling and MAPK, prolactin, and cAMP signaling pathways. Eight phenolics and seven central targets were selected for molecular docking, and 45 out of 56 docking had a binding affinity of less than -5 kcal/mol. This research has indicated the potential therapy targets and signaling pathways of Aiye in combating obesity.
PubMed: 38929640
DOI: 10.3390/life14060656 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2024Hyperprolactinemia, as a potential side-effect of some antipsychotic medications, is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. This...
Hyperprolactinemia, as a potential side-effect of some antipsychotic medications, is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. This study investigates whether calcium and vitamin D supplementation affects prolactin receptor ( gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys of female rats with sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Twenty-one-week-old female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: Group S consisted of ten rats who received sulpiride injections (10 mg/kg) twice daily for 6 weeks; Group D (10 rats) received daily supplementation of 50 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D along with sulpiride for the last 3 weeks; and Group C consisting of seven age-matched nulliparous rats serving as a control group. Real-time PCR was used to assess gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys. In Group S, Prlr gene expression was notably decreased in the duodenum ( < 0.01) but elevated in the vertebrae and kidneys compared to Group C. Conversely, Group D exhibited significantly increased Prlr expression in the duodenum ( < 0.01) alongside elevated expression in the vertebrae and kidneys. In sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia, decreased Prlr gene expression in the duodenum may lead to reduced intestinal calcium absorption. Consequently, prolactin may draw calcium from the skeletal system to maintain calcium balance, facilitated by increased Prlr gene expression in the vertebrae. However, vitamin D supplementation in sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia notably enhances Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, potentially ameliorating intestinal calcium absorption and mitigating adverse effects on bone health.
Topics: Animals; Hyperprolactinemia; Sulpiride; Rats, Wistar; Female; Vitamin D; Rats; Calcium; Duodenum; Receptors, Prolactin; Gene Expression
PubMed: 38929559
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060942