Prolactin and sex hormones levels in males with Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
The role that oestradiol and testosterone play in Parkinson's disease and their potential to influence the course of the disease has been covered in medical literature. The aim of this work was to compare oestradiol, testosterone, sex hormone-binding protein and prolactin blood levels in males affected with Parkinson's disease and in an age-matched control group, and to show possible dependence between concentrations of plasma hormones and the progression of symptoms of Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
The plasma levels of oestradiol, testosterone, prolactin and sex hormone-binding protein were examined in 36 patients affected with Parkinson's disease and in 69 age-matched control subjects, using chemiluminescent reactions. Patients with Parkinson's disease were examined using scales assessing their clinical state.


RESULTS
The level of prolactin was higher in the affected group. Concentrations of oestradiol and testosterone in the control group exceeded those found in patients. The level of sex hormones was positively correlated with better mood and quality of life in patients affected with Parkinson's disease; prolactin levels correlated negatively with sex steroid concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower blood levels of sex steroids and higher concentrations of prolactin and its antigonadotrophic activity in males affected with Parkinson's disease may result in a bigger susceptibility to the disease in men. The level of hormones may influence patients' cognition, mood and quality of life.
Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Mazowiecki Szpital Bródnowski, Warsaw, Poland.
M
M
Nitkowska
R
R
Tomasiuk
M
M
Czyżyk
A
A
Friedman
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin
Parkinson's disease; movement disorder; neuroendocrinology