Effect of diclofenac on plasma levels of immunoreactive prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyrotropin, and beta-endorphin in humans.
Prostaglandins have been shown to modulate the secretion of several pituitary hormones, suggesting that therapeutic doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may change basal hormone levels. In this study, plasma levels of prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyrotropin and beta-endorphin were determined in 6 healthy men after administration of diclofenac, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. The subjects were given 75 mg intramuscularly and 50 mg orally at 08.00 h the first day, 50 mg orally at 08.00, 12.00 and 20.00 h the second day and an additional 50 mg orally at 08.00 h the third day. Blood samples were collected throughout these 3 days. Diclofenac resulted in a significant and sustained decrease in plasma level of prolactin (p less than 0.005). The other hormones did not demonstrate significant change following diclofenac administration. These data suggest that administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, such as diclofenac, selectively alters basal pituitary secretion of prolactin in humans without a detectable effect on plasma levels of other pituitary hormones. This study supports the hypothesis that prostaglandins are necessary for maintaining basal level of prolactin secretion in man.
Joris
J
J
Laboratory of Radioimmunology, State University of Liège, Belgium.
Reuter
A M
AM
Vrindts-Gevaert
Y
Y
Gathy-Meuleman
R
R
Hargreaves
K
K
Franchimont
P
P
D000328:Adult; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D004008:Diclofenac; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin