CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM AND URINE PROLACTIN LEVELS IN LUPUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Prolactin (PRL) has been involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupu s erythematosus (SLE) and hyperprolactinemia has been connected with s ystemic activity. However, the clinical significance of PRL has not be en investigated in lupus glomerulonephritis (GN). Methods: We studied SLE patients (ACR criteria) with biopsy-proven renal disease. Renal hi stology was classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) cr iteria. Renal function tests, albuminuria, complement levels (nephelom etry), anti-DNA antibodies (C. luciliae) and serum and urine PRL conce ntrations (RIA) were determined at baseline and at 4-month intervals f or one year. Renal activity was defined as mild, moderate or severe ac cording to serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, albuminuria, red bl ood cells (RBC), and casts. Results: There were 26 patients with mean age 28.5 y and mean disease duration 47.9 months. Twenty patients had diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN), four had focal GN and t wo had membranous GN with proliferative changes. Renal activity was mi ld in ten patients, moderate in ten and severe in six. Mean serum (24. 7 +/- 5.3) and urine (0.90 +/- 0.36) PRL levels were higher in patient s with severe renal activity (P < 0.05 compared with mild group). PRL levels decreased after treatment, but this trend was not uniform durin g the follow-up period. Conclusion: Hyperprolactinemia was prevalent i n SLE patients and high levels of PRL in the serum and urine could be related to severe renal disease.