Cerebrospinal fluid and serum prolactin in systemic lupus erythematosus with and without central nervous system involvement

• Published in: APLAR journal of rheumatology 2007-04, Vol.10 (1), p.37-42
• Main Authors: DAI, Lie, WU, Yimei, ZHENG, Donghui, HAN, Zhijuan, CHEN, Lan X., SCHUMACHER, H. Ralph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: central nervous system disease; cerebrospinal fluid; lupus erythematosus; prolactin; systemic
• ISSN: 0219-0494; 1479-8077
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-8077.2007.00253.x

Aim:  Recent research has shown that prolactin (PRL) may participate in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and hyperprolactinemia may be related to disease activity. The current study investigated both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PRL in SLE patients and their possible relationship to central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Methods:  Prolactin levels were determined by immunoradiometric assay. Serum PRL levels were detected in 80 patients with SLE and 25 matched healthy controls. Disease activity was scored by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). CSF PRL levels were detected in seven cases of CNS involving SLE, eight cases of non‐CNS involved inactive SLE and eight cases of non‐SLE CNS disorders. Results:  Hyperprolactinemia was present in 40% of SLE patients. Serum PRL levels were significantly correlated with SLEDAI scores. There was no significant difference in serum PRL levels between SLE patients with or without CNS involvement, but the mean CSF PRL levels were higher in CNS‐involved SLE patients than in non‐CNS‐involved SLE and non‐SLE patients. There was no significant correlation between serum and CSF PRL levels. Conclusions:  Our results suggest that high serum PRL levels correlate with active disease in SLE, but not with CNS involvement. CSF PRL levels in SLE patients correlate with CNS involvement, which indicates that CSF PRL may be involved in the pathogenesis of CNS‐SLE.