N-Terminal Pro C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Relation With Prolactin in the Elderly

A relationship between natriuretic peptides, reproduction, and the elderly has been known for some time. To investigate the relation between Nt-pro C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and reproduction, a group of 71 elderly men and women were studied. In particular, the relation between prolactin (PRL) and Nt-proCNP was examined. Nt-proBNP (N-terminal Brain NP), pro Atrial (ANP)(1-98) (Atrial NP), Nt-proCNP, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, PRL, progesterone, and 17-estradiol were measured in 51 (23 males/28 females) hypertensive patients. A total of 20 normotensive elderly subjects formed the control group. The hypertensive patients (TH) were divided into subgroups, accordingly to their main other clinical diagnosis, namely Diabetes, Hypertension, Peripheral Arterial Oc- clusive Disease. A direct correlation was observed between Nt-proCNP and PRL in all subjects, patients, and healthy volunteers (r 0.56; P 0.001). An inverse correlation between Nt-proCNP and follicle-stimulating hor- mones was observed in TH patients (r 0.55; P 0.05). proANP(1- 98) and Nt-proBNP correlated with PRL respectively in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (r 0.57; P 0.05) and in TH (r 0.52; P 0.05). A direct correlation was found between the latter and luteinizing hormone in Diabetes (r 0.64; P 0.05). We demonstrate, for the first time, a correlation between Nt-proCNP and PRL in sick and healthy elderly subjects. Also proANP(1-98) and Nt-proBNP appeared to coregu- lated with PRL.