Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: The relationship between hyperprolactinoma and insulin resistance has been shown in many studies. It is also known that hyperprolactinoma causes changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The aim of our study is to evaluate insulin resistance in patients with prolactinoma and see the effect of treatment on insulin resistance and karotis intima media thickness (CIMT).

Material and methods: Twenty-two female patients diagnosed biochemically and radiographically with prolactinoma were included in the study. None of the patients were treated previously. Median age of the patients was 30.0±10.2 years. Cabergolin was given as treatment, starting with 0.5 mg/day and tapered necessarily. Boold samples were taken for prolactin, sensitive CRP(s-CRP), homocystein, LDL-cholesterol, HOMA score, prior to treatment and 6 months after starting treatment. The body mass index (BMI) was measured and CIMT was evaluated for each patient prior to and 6 months after the treatment.

Results: The prolactin levels before and after treatment was 145.5±66.4 and 12.4±7.2 μg/l respectively (P<0.001). This decrease was not related to the decrease in BMI(r=−0.057, P=0.808). HOMA score before and after treatment was 1.25 (0.22–4.5) and 1.02 (0.24–4.1) respectively (P=0.024). This decrease was not related to the decrease in prolactin levels (r=−0.248 vs P=0.279). Homocystein levels before and after treatment was 13.8 (7.0–28.0) and 8.5 (2.3–26.4) (P<0.001) respectively. CIMT before and after treatment was 0.58±0.15 and 0.52±0.12 (P<0.05) respectively. The decrease in CIMT was not found to be related with the decrease in prolactin levels, HOMA score and BMI (r=0.250, P=0.274).

Conclusion: Treatment with cabergolin causes decrease in HOMA score and decrease in CIMT after 6 months of treatment independant from the decrease in BMI.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.