Biomedical Research

Numerous studies state the role of prolactin, a hormone of anterior pituitary in autoimmune response of rheumatoid arthritis. Postpartum exacerbation of arthritis suggests the relation of prolactin with autoimmune arthritis. The present study was carried out to see the status of serum prolactin in patients of rheumatoid arthritis attending Shree Ayurvedic College and Government Medical College, Nagpur. A case control study was carried out with 20 women of rheumatoid arthritis (Group A) and. 20 apparently healthy age- sex- matched volunteers (Group B).The diagnosis was confirmed by revised ACR criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Fasting blood samples (5 ml/subject) were collected from the cases and controls. The serum was separated and stored in deep freeze at – 20°C Along with other parameters serum prolactin concentrations were measured by Sandwich Enzyme immuno-assay system (ELISA). Statistical evaluation was done by student’s t test and p-value was calculated.(p < 0.001). The serum prolactin levels in cases were significantly increased than in controls. Many studies indicate the role of prolactin in the autoimmune responses. Although exact mechanism is not known, it is proposed that prolactin is secreted by synovial cells and lymphocytes which do have dopamine receptors. Also remission of arthritis with anti- prolactin drugs suggests the role of prolactin in rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, elevated serum prolactin levels in the cases of rheumatoid arthritis may suggest its possible role in autoimmune response

Author(s): Sucheta Ghule, Archana Dhotre, Madhur Gupta, Prashant Dharme, S.M. Vaidya
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