Circulating nitric oxide levels in galactorrheic, hyperprolactinemic, amenorrheic women.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that nitric oxide production is decreased in hyperprolactinemic, amenorrheic patients with estrogen (E) deficiency, augmenting the possible risk of cardiovascular disorders.


METHODS
Cairo University Hospitals.


METHODS
Prospective, case-controlled study.


METHODS
Twenty-five galactorrheic, hyperprolactinemic patients with amenorrhea of more than 6 months and with low serum E2, as well as 30 healthy, fertile women (controls) matched for age and body mass index.


METHODS
Bromocriptine was administered orally to hyperprolactinemic patients, and blood samples were collected before and 6 weeks after treatment.


METHODS
Total nitric oxide production was determined photometrically using Greiss reagent after preliminary conversion of nitrate to nitrite by nitrate reductase.


RESULTS
Serum E2 and nitric oxide levels in hyperprolactinemic, amenorrheic patients (62.5 +/- 3.2 [SE] pg/mL [229 +/- 11.7 pmol/L] and 18.4 +/- 2.5 mumol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than E2 (114 +/- 6.4 pg/ml, [418 +/- 23.5 pmol/L]) and nitric oxide (41.2 +/- 4.1 mumol/L) levels observed in normal women during the follicular phase. The decrease of nitric oxide was associated with elevation of blood pressure. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia with bromocriptine restored normal values of serum nitric oxide and E2, and normal blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperprolactinemia with E deficiency exhibits a significant decrease in nitric oxide production, and this decrease may subject the patient to certain cardiovascular disorders and disturbed ovarian function.
Shaarawy
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Nafei
S
S
Abul-Nasr
A
A
el-Sharkawy
S
S
Younis
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005687:Galactorrhea / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol