The influences of hyperprolactinemia and obesity on cardiovascular risk markers: effects of cabergoline therapy.

Objective: In view of the association of hyperprolactinaemia with insulin resistance, we hypothesized that patients with hyperprolactinaemia may present increased cardiovascular risk markers.

Design: Descriptive clinical trial.

Methods: Serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, lipids, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and soluble E-selectin (sELAM-1) serum levels were determined in 15 patients with hyperprolactinaemia at baseline (compared with 20 healthy subjects) and after 12 weeks of cabergoline therapy (0.5-1 mg twice per week). We also measured mononuclear cell NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha production in a subset of subjects.

Results: Serum levels of prolactin (PRL), insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and hsCRP were significantly higher in patients than in control subjects. Markers of mononuclear cell activation did not differ between the groups. Hyperprolactinaemia, BMI and age were predictors of hsCRP. BMI was the only predictor of HOMA-IR. Cabergoline therapy significantly reduced serum PRL, insulin, hsCRP and sELAM-1 levels.

Conclusions: These data suggest that hyperprolactinaemia is associated with insulin resistance related to increased BMI and low-grade inflammation independently of BMI. Short-term cabergoline therapy can reduce the inflammatory markers.