Prolactin Hormone and Cardiovascular System
R. M. Mostafa *
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Sharjah University, United Arab Emirates
K. M. Moustafa
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Sharjah University, United Arab Emirates
Z. Mirghani
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Sharjah University, United Arab Emirates
Y. M. Moustafa
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Egypt
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Prolactin (PRL) hormone, a very ancient hormone, first discovered by Oscar Riddle and his colleagues in the late 1920s, is a 199 amino acid multifunctional polypeptide hormone, that has been found in all vertebrates to influence more than 300 physiologic functions of the body. This review discusses the prolactin structure, mechanism of synthesis, control of secretions, receptors, its intracellular signal transduction and its possible implications on the cardiovascular system.
Keywords: Prolactin, cardiovascular system, signal transduction, pregnancy