EFFECTS OF PHARMACOLOGICAL MODIFICATION O F PROLACTIN LEVELS ON CELLULAR IMMUNE FUNCTION IN NORMAL MEN

Prolactin markedly influences cellular and humoral immunity in animals , but there is little information on its role in men. The aim of this work was to study the immune effects of pharmacological modification o f prolactin levels in 5 healthy individuals. Peripheral blood mononucl ear cell proliferative response to mitogens and antigens, interleukin- 2 (IL-2) production, soluble and membrane IL-2 receptor expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum soluble IL-2 receptors we re successively measured during normoprolactinemia, during bromocripti ne induced hypoprolactinemia and during metoclopramide induced hyperpr olactinemia. There was a significant increase. in cellular proliferati on during hypoprolactinemia when compared with hyperprolactinemia. No concomitant changes in soluble or membrane receptor expression or IL-2 production were observed. ft is concluded that lymphocyte proliferati ve response to mitogens is dependent on prolactin levels in man and th at this effects is not mediated by IL-2 or its receptors. These result s may be potentially relevant in clinic since changes in serum prolact in have been described in different autoimmune diseases.