Prolactin as a predictor of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness progression in menopause.
Postmenopausal women are at increased risk for progression of arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Recent cross-sectional evidence suggests that high normal circulating prolactin levels may accelerate vascular ageing in menopause. Postmenopausal women (n=201) were consecutively recruited from a Menopause Clinic and re-evaluated in at least one follow-up visit within the next 3 years. Baseline circulating prolactin levels were measured while both baseline and follow-up vascular and biochemical measurements were performed. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), aortic stiffness by pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and arterial wave reflections by applanation tonometry. Baseline prolactin significantly correlated with lower FMD at follow-up (P=0.005). After multivariable adjustment for age, follow-up time, blood pressure (BP), body mass index, smoking and medication, this correlation remained significant (P=0.003). In addition, baseline circulating prolactin levels were independently associated with changes in mean BP (β=0.131, P=0.021), peripheral diastolic BP (β=0.169, P=0.004) and new-onset hypertension (OR=1.235, P=0.001). Owing to significant interaction between baseline prolactin and age for changes in PWV over time (P=0.036), a subgroup analysis based on median age was performed. This analysis revealed that in women younger than 55 years, prolactin was an independent predictor of changes in PWV over time (P=0.008). In conclusion, high normal circulating prolactin levels predict changes in haemodynamic indices and worsening endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women. Particularly in young postmenopausal women, prolactin predicts accelerated arterial stiffening.
Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Georgiopoulos
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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I
Lambrinoudaki
Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Athanasouli
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Armeni
Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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A
Koliviras
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
A
A
Augoulea
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Rizos
Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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C
Papamichael
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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A
Protogerou
Department of Cardiology, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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K
Stellos
Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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K
Stamatelopoulos
D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018450:Disease Progression; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D014664:Vasodilation
D015415:Biomarkers; D011388:Prolactin