title: Prolactin (PRL) in adipose tissue: regulation and functions.
abstract: New information concerning the effects of prolactin (PRL) on metabolic processes warrants reevaluation of its overall metabolic actions. PRL affects metabolic homeostasis by regulating key enzymes and transporters associated with glucose and lipid metabolism in several target organs. In the lactating mammary gland, PRL increases the production of milk proteins, lactose, and lipids. In adipose tissue, PRL generally suppresses lipid storage and adipokine release and affect adipogenesis. A specific case is made for PRL in the human breast and adipose tissues, where it acts as a circulating hormone and an autocrine/paracrine factor. Although its overall effects on body composition are both modest and species-specific, PRL may be involved in the manifestation of insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45255, USA, Nira.Ben-Jonathan@uc.edu.
authors.forename: Nira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ben-Jonathan
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hugo
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D010928:Placental Lactogen / Q000502:physiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D010928:Placental Lactogen