SERUM-PROLACTIN IN WOMEN WITI PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(76)92465-X

The Lancet

Volume 308, Issue 7987, 25 September 1976, Pages 654-656

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(76)92465-X Get rights and content

Abstract

Serum-prolactin was measured by radioimmunoassay during the menstrual cycle in 28 women who had the premenstrual syndrome (P.M.S.) and in a control group who did not have P.M.S. symptoms. Throughout the menstrual cycle mean serum-prolactin was significantly higher in women with P.M.S. than in the controls. The average individual increase in serum-prolactin during the premenstrual period compared with the first 3 weeks of the cycle was also significantly higher in women with P.M.S. It is not clear whether the increase in serum-prolactin was merely an indicator of stress or was actually involved in producing some of the symptoms which constitute P.M.S.

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Herbs commonly used by women: An evidence-based review
2003, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Citation Excerpt :
Animal and human studies show that extracts of chasteberry tree berry bind dopamine receptors in the anterior pituitary and decrease both the basal- and thyrotropin-releasing-hormone stimulated secretion of prolactin.174,175 Women with PMS have significantly higher levels of prolactin, especially in the second and third week of their cycles.176 Some researchers postulate that vitex causes a decrease in prolactin which leads to reversal of LH suppression allowing full development of the corpus luteum in the luteal phase and increased progrestone levels with decreased premenstrual symptoms.177,178
Objective: To review the evidence of herbs commonly used by women. Data Sources: Articles were located by searching Medline, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, and the Combined Health Information Database and by hand searching the reference lists of recent systematic reviews. The databases were searched in January 2000 and October 2000 by using the Latin and common name of each herb. Methods Of Study Selection: Preference was given to randomized, placebo-controlled trials. When available, English language studies were reviewed. If not, data are presented from review articles that summarize the foreign study. Results: Many women use herbal therapies. In the United States, herbs are considered dietary supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot remove them from the market unless they are proven unsafe. The herb industry plans to improve monitoring. Many prospective randomized controlled trials are being funded. Gingko biloba seems to slow the progression of dementia but increases the risk of bleeding. St John's Wort is efficacious for treating mild to moderate depression but has many drug interactions. Ginseng seems to improve well being in perimenopausal women, but it is often impure and has side effects and drug interactions. Garlic slightly lowers blood pressure and lipids. Echinacea slightly decreases the duration of colds but does not prevent them. Valerian is beneficial for insomnia, but there is no long-term safety data. Black cohosh may help the symptoms of perimenopause, and chasteberry may improve premenstrual syndrome. More study is needed on both herbs. Conclusion: Some herbs are medically useful, but the American public would benefit from increased regulation. Manufacturers should be able to ensure that herbs contain pure ingredients. Side effects and drug interactions should be listed. Well-designed studies are being conducted. The results will be helpful to physicians and patients when the clinical evidence becomes available.
Unexpected benefit of sorbitol placebo in Mg intervention study of premenstrual symptoms: Implications for choice of placebo in RCTs
2002, Medical Hypotheses
We carried out a randomized, double-blind, crossover study of 85 women, designed to investigate the dose–response of daily Mg supplementation on premenstrual symptoms. Each woman took one of four treatments: Mg (200, 350 or 500 mg/day) or sorbitol (placebo) for 2 months. This was followed by a washout of 1 month, and then each woman received one of the three remaining treatments for a further 2 months. Unexpectedly, sorbitol (1305 mg) reduced anxiety-related and total premenstrual symptoms after 2 months compared with Mg treatments (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). We conclude that low-dose sorbitol reduces premenstrual symptoms beyond that expected of a placebo. After 2 months of treatment, sorbitol also reduced urinary Mg excretion compared to baseline (no intervention) and Mg treatments (P=0.005). A follow-up study on 17 healthy volunteers confirmed lack of effect on urinary Mg output of a similar sorbitol intervention regime compared with either baseline or cellulose placebo. It appears that sorbitol may influence Mg homeostasis in women suffering premenstrual symptoms, but not in healthy individuals. Implications for placebo choice in RCTs are discussed.
Pharmacological activities of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro
2000, Phytomedicine
The pharmacological effects of ethanolic Vitex agnus-castus fruit-extracts (especially Ze 440) and various extract fractions of different polarities were evaluated both by radioligand binding studies and by superfusion experiments. A relative potent binding inhibition was observed for dopamine D₂ and opioid (μ and k subtype) receptors with IC₅₀ values of the native extract between 20 and 70 mg/mL. Binding, neither to the histamine Hl5 benzodiazepine and OFQ receptor, nor to the binding-site of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter, was significantly inhibited. The lipophilic fractions contained the diterpenes rotundifuran and 6β,7β-diacetoxy-13-hydroxy-labda-8,14-dien. They exhibited inhibitory actions on dopamine D₂ receptor binding. While binding inhibition to μ and κ opioid receptors was most pronounced in lipophilic fractions, binding to δ opioid receptors was inhibited mainly by a aqueous fraction. Standardised Ze 440 extracts of different batches were of constant pharmacological quality according to their potential to inhibit the binding to D₂ receptors. In superfusion experiments, the aqueous fraction of a methanolic extract inhibited the release of acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the potent D₂ receptor antagonist spiperone antagonised the effect of the extract suggesting a dopaminergic action mediated by D₂ receptor activation. Our results indicate a dopaminergic effect of Vitex agnus-castus extracts and suggest additional pharmacological actions via opioid receptors.
Treatment of cyclical mastalgia with a solution containing a Vitex agnus castus extract: Results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study
1999, Breast
In a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study the efficacy of a Vitex agnus castus extract-containing solution* (VACS) was investigated in patients suffering from cyclical mastalgia. Patients had mastalgia on at least 5 days in the pre-treatment cycle. During this cycle and during treatment (3 cycles; 2 × 30 drops/day), the intensity of mastalgia was recorded once per cycle using a visual analogue scale (VAS).
After one/two treatment cycles, the mean decrease in pain intensity (mm, VAS) was 21.4 mm /33.7 mm in women taking VACS (n= 48) and 10.6 mm/20.3 mm with placebo (n=49). The differences of the VAS-values for VACS were significantly greater than those with placebo (p= 0.018;p= 0.006). After three cycles, the mean VAS-score reduction for women taking VACS was 34.3 mm, a reduction of ‘borderline significance’ (p= 0.064) on statistical testing compared with placebo (25.7 mm). There was no difference in the frequency of adverse events between both groups (VACS:n = 5; placebo: n= 4). VACS appears effective and was well tolerated and further evaluation of this agent in the treatment of cyclical mastalgia is warranted.
Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and dietary fat intake in women with cyclic mastopathy
1998, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine the contribution of plasma lipids to the pathophysiology of cyclic mastopathy, before and after consideration of diet and sex hormones.
STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-four women with severe cyclic mastopathy (case patients) and 29 women without cyclic mastopathy (control subjects) recorded their breast symptoms daily during 1 menstrual cycle. During each menstrual phase (follicular, early luteal, late luteal, and menstrual) they prospectively completed 2 24-hour dietary diaries, provided blood for lipid and hormone assays, and underwent anthropometric measurements.
RESULTS: Mean age was 34 years. Premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness were significantly more severe in case patients (P < .0001). Cyclic change (late luteal vs follicular) of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol differed between case patients and control subjects, with case patients having a relative excess of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the premenstrual phase (P = .01). Dietary fat intake was greater throughout the cycle in case patients (37.5 vs 33.7% of calories, P = .02), and case patients reported increased appetite in the premenstrual phase (P = .01). In multivariate analyses the contributions of mean dietary fat intake and of cyclic change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were independently significant, with odds ratios for upper versus lower quintiles being slightly >5.
CONCLUSIONS: Women with cyclic mastopathy had a relative excess of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol during the symptomatic late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and a higher fat intake throughout the cycle than did control subjects. These observations support the hypothesis that lipids (notably high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and a high-fat diet play a role in the pathophysiologic characteristics of cyclic mastopathy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:430-7.)
8 Neuropsychiatry of prolactin: causes and effects
1991, Bailliere's Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

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SERUM-PROLACTIN IN WOMEN WITI PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Abstract

Am. J. Obstet. Gynec.

Am. J. Obstet. Gynec.

Am. J. Obstet. Gynec.

Lancet

Am. J. Obstet. Gynec.

J. psychosom. Res.

Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Clin. Endocr.

Clin. Endocr.

A. Rev. Med.

C.r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci. Paris

Endocr., Japan