J Hum Hypertens. 2017 Mar 23. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2017.15. [Epub ahead of print]

Author
Georgiopoulos G¹, Lambrinoudaki I², Athanasouli F¹, Armeni E², Koliviras A¹, Augoulea A², Rizos D², Papamichael C¹, Protogerou A³, Stellos K⁴, Stamatelopoulos K¹.

Author information
1. Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
2. Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
3. Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
4. Department of Cardiology, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Abstract
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.

資料來源 : PubMed