title: [Influence of serum prolactin on interleukin-6 secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect serum prolactin (PRL) level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlations to SLE activity and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  An electrochemiluminescence assay was employed to examine the serum content of PRL in 40 SLE patients and 20 healthy subjects, and the levels of IL-6 secretion by the PBMCs were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SLE patients showed a significantly higher serum level of PRL than healthy subjects, which was especially obvious in the active stage of the disease (P=0.000. Serum PRL in SLE patients was found to positively correlate to SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (r=0.568, P=0.000). SLE patients with hyperprolactinemia showed a significantly higher level of IL-6 secretion by the PBMCs than those with normal serum PRL level (P=0.000). IL-6 secretion by the PBMCs isolated from SLE patients with normal PRL level and from healthy controls, especially the latter, increased significantly after stimulation of the cells with recombinant human PRL in vitro (P=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum PRL may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. An elevated PRL level is closely related to SLE activity and can be used to assess SLE activity. Increased serum PRL level can up-regulate the secretion of IL-6 by the PBMCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Rheumatology, Foshan Maternity and Child Heath Care Hospital, Foshan, China. cypeach1030@163.com
authors.forename: Yan-tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xue-biao
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D011388:Prolactin