Long-term
prolactin excess is often accompanied by numerous metabolic complications. No previous study has compared the effect of
statin therapy on circulating levels of cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with elevated and normal
prolactin levels. The study population consisted of 3 age-, weight-, and
lipid-matched groups of young women: 19 women with untreated
hyperprolactinemia (group A), 20 normoprolactinemic women receiving
bromocriptine treatment (because of previous
hyperprolactinemia) (group B), and 20 untreated women with
prolactin levels within the reference range (group C). Because of elevated total and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, all women were then treated with
atorvastatin (40 mg daily). Apart from measuring plasma
lipids,
glucose homeostasis markers, and
hormone levels at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks later, we measured circulating levels of
uric acid,
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,
homocysteine, and
fibrinogen. Despite similar baseline levels of plasma
lipids, levels of
uric acid,
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,
homocysteine, and
fibrinogen as well as the degree of
insulin resistance were higher in group A than in the remaining 2 groups.
Atorvastatin reduced total and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in all study groups. However, only in normoprolactinemic women (groups B and C) did
atorvastatin reduce circulating levels of nonlipid cardiometabolic risk factors, whereas only in group A did the drug slightly impair
insulin sensitivity. The results of the study suggest that cardiometabolic effects of
atorvastatin depend on the
prolactin status of patients.