Prolactin, metabolic and immune parameters in naïve subjects with a first episode of psychosis

Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) cooperates with melatonin to regulate the PRL expression via ErbB4/Erk signaling pathway as a potential prolactin (PRL) regulator

Neuregulin-4 (Nrg4) and melatonin play vital roles in endocrine diseases. However, there is little discussion about the function and potential mechanism of Nrg4 and melatonin in prolactin (PRL) regulation. The human normal pituitary data from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to explore the correlation between NRG4 and PRL. The expression and correlation of NRG4 and PRL were determined by Immunofluorescence staining (IF) and human normal pituitary tissue microarray. Western Blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of PRL, p-ErbB2/3/4, ErbB2/3/4, p-Erk1/2, Erk1/2, p-Akt and Akt in PRL-secreting pituitary GH3 and RC-4B/C cells treated by Nrg4, Nrg4-small interfering RNA, Erk1/2 inhibitor FR180204 and melatonin. The expression of NRG4 was significantly positively correlated with that of PRL in the GEPIA database and normal human pituitary tissues. Nrg4 significantly increased the expression and secretion of PRL and p-Erk1/2 expression in GH3 cells and RC-4B/C cells. Inhibition of Nrg4 significantly inhibited PRL expression. The increased levels of p-Erk1/2 and PRL induced by Nrg4 were abolished significantly in response to FR180204 in GH3 and RC-4B/C cells. Additionally, Melatonin promotes the expression of Nrg4, p-ErbB4, p-Erk1/2, and PRL and can further promote the expression of p-Erk1/2 and PRL in combination with Nrg4. Further investigation into the function of Nrg4 and melatonin on PRL expression and secretion may provide new clues to advance the clinical control of prolactinomas and hyperprolactinemia.

Hormone supply to the pituitary gland: A comprehensive investigation of female‑related tumors (Review)

The hypothalamus acts on the pituitary gland after signal integration, thus regulating various physiological functions of the body. The pituitary gland includes the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis, which differ in structure and function. The hypothalamus-hypophysis axis controls the secretion of adenohypophyseal hormones through the pituitary portal vein system. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, gonadotropin, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL) are secreted by the adenohypophysis and regulate the functions of the body in physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this review was to summarize the functions of female-associated hormones (GH, PRL, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone) in tumors. Their pathophysiology was described and the mechanisms underlying female hormone-related diseases were investigated.

J-Shaped Relationship Between Serum Prolactin and Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Female Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has become a worldwide epidemic. Prolactin (PRL), a pituitary hormone, has been linked to MAFLD. As a result, we set out to look into the relationship between serum PRL and the risk of MAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A total of 724 adults with T2DM were enrolled and categorized as MAFLD and non-MAFLD groups. Anthropometric data, biochemical parameters, and serum PRL levels were collected. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed using FibroScan. Patients were stratified into normal PRL (NP) and high PRL (HP) groups and divided into four groups based on serum PRL quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between serum PRL and MAFLD risk.

RESULTS

Female but not male patients with MAFLD, liver steatosis, and fibrosis had significantly lower PRL levels in the NP group but higher PRL levels in the HP group than their counterparts. The proportions of MAFLD, liver steatosis, and fibrosis were significantly decreased in the NP group but increased in the HP group across the PRL quartiles in females but not in males. After multivariate adjustment, the adjusted ORs (AORs) and 95% CI for MAFLD among females were 18.165 (3.425-96.336), 1.784 (0.658-5.002), 1.744 (0.608-4.832), and 1.00 (reference) in the NP group (Q1-Q4, P-trend < 0.001) and 1.00 (reference), 11.098 (1.819-110.356), 15.225 (1.996-116.112), and 18.211 (2.579-128.568) in the HP group (Q1-Q4, P-trend = 0.020). Such associations were also found between serum PRL and liver fibrosis in females but not in males.

CONCLUSION

We observed a J-shaped association between serum PRL and the risk of MAFLD and liver fibrosis in females but not in males with T2DM, indicating that PRL may be relevant to MAFLD and its progression in a gender-specific manner.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number ChiCTR-OCS-12002381.

Psychosis in Women: Time for Personalized Treatment

Early detection and prompt treatment of psychosis is of the utmost importance. The great variability in clinical onset, illness course, and response to pharmacological and psychosocial treatment is in great part gender-related. Our aim has been to review narratively the literature focusing on gender related differences in the psychoses, i.e., schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases on 31 July 2021, focusing on recent research regarding sex differences in early psychosis. Although women, compared to men, tend to have better overall functioning at psychotic symptom onset, they often present with more mood symptoms, may undergo misdiagnosis and delay in treatment and are at a higher risk for antipsychotic drug-induced metabolic and endocrine-induced side effects. Furthermore, women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have more than double the odds of having physical comorbidities than men. Tailored treatment plans delivered by healthcare services should consider gender differences in patients with a diagnosis of psychosis, with a particular attention to early phases of disease in the context of the staging model of psychosis onset.

Cognitive Deficit in Schizophrenia: From Etiology to Novel Treatments

Schizophrenia is a major mental illness characterized by positive and negative symptoms, and by cognitive deficit. Although cognitive impairment is disabling for patients, it has been largely neglected in the treatment of schizophrenia. There are several reasons for this lack of treatments for cognitive deficit, but the complexity of its etiology-in which neuroanatomic, biochemical and genetic factors concur-has contributed to the lack of effective treatments. In the last few years, there have been several attempts to develop novel drugs for the treatment of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Despite these efforts, little progress has been made. The latest findings point to the importance of developing personalized treatments for schizophrenia which enhance neuroplasticity, and of combining pharmacological treatments with non-pharmacological measures.