Metabolic effects of prolactin and the role of dopamine agonists: A review

Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone that is well known for its role in reproductive physiology. Recent studies highlight its role in neurohormonal appetite regulation and metabolism. Elevated prolactin levels are widely associated with worsening metabolic disease, but it appears that low prolactin levels could also be metabolically unfavorable. This review discusses the pathophysiology of prolactin related metabolic changes, and the less commonly recognized effects of prolactin on adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, and small bowel. Furthermore, the effect of dopamine agonists on the metabolic profiles of patients with hyperprolactinemia are discussed as well.

Automated summary

Prolactin plays an important role not only in reproductive physiology, but also in neurohormonal appetite regulation and metabolism. Elevated prolactin levels are associated with worsening metabolic disease, but low prolactin levels could also be metabolically unfavorable. This review discusses the pathophysiology of prolactin-related metabolic changes, as well as the less recognized effects of prolactin on adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, and small bowel. The effects of dopamine agonists on the metabolic profiles of patients with hyperprolactinemia are also discussed.