Serum prolactin levels in psoriasis vulgaris.
Background. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 1-3% of Caucasians. Prolactin has proliferative effects on human keratinocytes, a dominant feature of psoriasis, and it is thought that this hormone may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study was conducted to confirm or refute these findings in order to better understand the disease pathogenesis. Methods. The subjects were 90 individuals aged between 15 and 47 years. They were divided into three groups of 30 individuals each: psoriatic patients, atopic dermatitis patients, and control group. A questionnaire was filled regarding their demographic and medical history. All of the study subjects underwent venous blood sampling (5 mL), and serum TSH and prolactin levels were checked. Subjects with abnormal TSH were omitted. Results. None of the patients in the study had raised prolactin, and there was no significant difference in the serum prolactin level between patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and the control group. There was no relationship between the severity of psoriasis and serum levels of prolactin. Conclusion. Prolactin does not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis as its serum levels are comparable with atopic dermatitis patients and that of the normal population.
Department of Dermatology, Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134844119, Iran.
Farhad
F
Handjani
Department of Dermatology, Molecular Dermatology Research Center and Student Research Committee, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Avenue, Shiraz 7134844119, Iran.
Nasrin
N
Saki
Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134844119, Iran.
Iman
I
Ahrari
Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134844119, Iran.
Mehdi
M
Ebrahimi
Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134844119, Iran.
Mohammad Mehdi
MM
Khorrami
Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134844119, Iran.
Parastoo
P
Nematollahi