Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
I suspect hyperprolactemia is a MAJOR problem in lyme. This is high levels of the hormone prolactin (in men and women!)in the blood. Serotonin levels trigger prolactin as well as other hormones (estrogen).
Read the above carefully...very carefully (hint - see what INHIBITS motility)
Bb enters the cell and locks onto our DNA which triggers the cell nucleus "alarm"...NFkB...which ultimately triggers IL1 B (interleukin 1 beta) and TNF alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha).
Not good.
TNF alpha OPENS epithelial Na cell channels. Now Bb has sodium. Yipee...he says.
With ongoing high levels of TNF alpha, this will disrupt the Na-K pump.
Bb also transports Mg out of the cell and has "zinc fingers".
Mg and zinc are 2 of the major NMDA (glutamate) receptor "gate keepers".
Say goodbye to 2 of the 3 NMDA receptor "gate keepers"...now glutamate levels rise...
Need more GABA to put the brakes on (glutamate is an accelerator).
That disrupts dopamine...
Glutamate just so happens to transport good old NaCl into the cells. Bb is really happy now.
Anemic? Here's why:
Incubation of red cells with higher concentrations of prolactin in vitro enhanced the cellular sodium level and produced a significant reduction in erythrocyte membrane adenosine triphosphatase activity.
This effect was dose and time-dependent. It is the result of an inhibition of the active sodium pump similar to that produced by ouabain, suggesting altered red cell function and electrolyte balance in hyperprolactinemic states.
Paradoxically, the pituitary-adrenal axis is not activated during sodium lactate-induced panic. We measured the response of another stress-sensitive hormone, prolactin, to standard lactate and placebo infusion in a double-blind randomised design in eight patients with panic disorder and eight matched normal controls.
Prolactin release was significantly elevated (P<0.05) in panickers compared with non-panickers,
whereas ACTH secretion was not activated at all. This differential stress response needs further investigation.
Why is prolactin up? Here may be one reason (bolded):
� MT1 and MT2 (melatonin) receptors desensitize: activity decreases after exposure to excessively high levels of melatonin
� Propranolol, caffeine, and alcohol can interfere with melatonin activity
� Vitamin B6 needed for synthesis. Estrogen, OCPs, hydralazine, lasix may affect levels
� Excess melatonin can lead to daytime sleepiness, impaired mental and physical performance, hypothermia, and high levels of prolactin 0.5 mg can also shift body temperature rhythms
� Possible adverse events in those with seizure disorders
� Possible interaction with those taking coumadin/warfarin
"Amiloride works by directly blocking the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) thereby inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts in the kidneys (this mechanism is the same for triamterene). This promotes the loss of sodium and water from the body, but without depleting potassium."
Fat building up?
Changes in serum prolactin may together orchestrate appropriately timed alterations in basal energy metabolism, fat utilization versus deposition, and relative food intake level.
"Dopamine is the major neurotransmitter that puts the brakes on prolactin secretion.
However like all hormones there are many factors and other hormones involved in its secretion.
With over 200 hormones and signaling molecules, there are no masters and slaves, only interrelationships.
There are multiple and extremely complex mechanisms for hormones circulating in the blood.
Not only the levels of a single hormone influences body functions, but the precise levels of all other hormones at that moment that affect the potency of the aforementioned hormone.
And there are yet alternative mechanisms for hormones levels in each part of the brain.
And yet different mechanisms for hormones secreted to neighboring cells.
There are also hormones secreted that in turn affect the cell that secreted the hormone.
Sometimes oxytocin increases dopamine, sometimes it decreases dopamines. Often Oxytocin increases dopamine, but under certain circumstances it decreases dopamine.
Nothing is independent when it comes to hormones."
Inactivate NFkB...look at the list of things that can accomplish that...uses as many as possible.
P.S. NORMALLY vitamin B6 can reduce hyperprolactemia. However, the B vitamins are easily destroyed by our stomach acids...likely the levels of B6, together with Mg, are being used up (we don't store significant amts. of this) in order to make melatonin which we are relying on to combat oxidative stress (too many damaging lone free oxygen molecules that are missing an electron).
Prescription Drugs Prescription drugs can cause excess secretion of prolactin. Some anti-depressants, painkillers, and opiates block dopamine, preventing prolactin secretion from being inhibited. This can cause your prolactin levels to rise.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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johnnyb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7645
posted
So, a prolactin test to distinguish lyme from MS? Is there such a test, and if so, how come I never hear of docs doing it?
Would be a nice test, because from what I've read in your posts, you want MORE prolactin if you have MS but LESS if you have lyme....
Posts: 1197 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Yes, it looks that way...less prolactin (get levels down) if infected with Bb...more needed if infected with (unknown pathogen) MS trigger.
Go here for very recent info. on INCREASING prolactin to treat MS:
Research St. John's Wort...in depth...see HOW it works and figure out WHY it might help because of why it shouldn't be taken in conjunction with birth control pills.
If you are a guy...start with Pubmed abstracts on St. John's Wort prostate cancer...PMID: 15172117
This supplement, however, interfers with a LOT of drugs!!! Heads up.
The interplay of the neurotransmitters and hormones is very complex!
Are there any LLMD neuroendrocrinologists?
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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butchieboo
Unregistered
posted
You go messing around St Johns wart supplement...a supplement that is not regulated and you may throw off your seretonin in ways you don't want to...
Perhaps a seretonin reuptake prescription that is at least regulated might be a better alternative...
Sounds, Marne, like you have this all figured out... so how come a cure is not forthcomming?
posted
Ten years ago when I still felt more or less healthy (although I was infected with Lyme already) I had a phase of about 1 year when my prolactin level was extremely high.
Then it went back to normal and still is (just had a test done). But now I'm symptomatic with Lyme.
Does that fit somehow in the theory?
Gabrielle
Posts: 767 | From Germany | Registered: Feb 2004
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
My Prolactin levels have been within the labs normal range. but my ferritin is on the low side. Not sure how this fits in.
thanks as always for the info.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
My prolactin levels are normal but I have milk production for the past 2 years. No explanation why. I've never had a baby.
Posts: 340 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
PROLACTIN AND BREAST CANCER RISK It has been hypothesized that high levels of serum prolactin increase breast cancer risk and that some of the risk factors for breast cancer may exert their effects by increasing prolactin exposure. Evidence relating to this hypothesis is conflicting, perhaps because of methodological problems. Serum prolactin concentrations vary according to time of day and day of the menstrual cycle, and they are affected by recent surgery, including breast surgery. All of these factors need to be taken into account in deciding when to collect blood samples.
Serum prolactin levels were determined in 78 patients with invasive breast cancer, 82 with benign epithelial hyperplasia of the breast, 86 with fibrocystic disease, and 178 age-matched community controls. All blood samples were taken in the morning. Specimens from premenopausal women were collected on day 21 or 22 of the menstrual cycle. Specimens from breast cancer patients were obtained at least three months after surgery. The subjects also completed an interview which included questions on frequency of consumption of 179 food items.
Prolactin levels higher than the median value in control subjects were found to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (relative risk 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.0-4.5). Prolactin levels were higher in women with benign epithelial hyperplasia (who have an increased risk of breast cancer) than in those with fibrocystic disease (who are not at increased risk).
Some associations were found between risk factors and prolactin levels. Substantial drops in prolactin level were associated with first pregnancies and menopause. Early age at either of these events is known to be associated with reduced risk of breast cancer. A diet rich in saturated fats was associated with an increased prolactin concentration in premenopausal women only. There was no association between prolactin and body mass or oral contraceptive use.
This study "suppports the concept that parity, menstrual status, and saturated fat consumption influence a woman's exposure to prolactin and therefore the risk of developing breast cancer."
David M Ingram, Elizabeth M nottage, and Anthony N Roberts, Prolactin and Breast Cancer Risk, Medical J Australia 153(8) 469-473 (15 Oct 1990) [Reprints: Dr David Ingram, Suite 51, Mount Hospital Centre, 146 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000, Western Australia!
Prolactin receptor levels on lymphocytes vary with menstrual cycle in women. PMID: 8031474
Major differences in effect on plasma prolactin levels exist between antipsychotics, with risperidone showing the most robust effect, according to a new study. Because the therapeutic effect of antipsychotics is believed to depend on dopamine-blocking activity, prolactin levels may be indicative of antipsychotic efficacy.
Exploring the relationship between clinical effects and prolactin level, Jan Volavka, MD, PhD, of the Nathan Kline Institute in Orangeburg, New York, United States, and colleagues performed a double-blind, randomised, 14-week study of 157 treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Forty patients were assigned to treatment with clozapine, 39 to olanzapine, 41 to risperidone and 37 to haloperidol. Prolactin and drug blood levels were determined at baseline and weeks 5, 8, 10, 12, and 14.
Prolactin levels at baseline and 1 or more timepoints during the treatment period were available in 75 male subjects. Analysis showed that risperidone caused significant elevation of prolactin levels. However, despite an observed dose-response relationship, there was no significant correlation between plasma levels of risperidone and prolactin.
Alternatively, clozapine and olanzapine were associated with decreases of plasma prolactin. Olanzapine and prolactin plasma levels were significantly related when the olanzapine dose was 20 mg/day, a relationship that strengthened when dosage increased to a mean of 30.4 mg/day.
Haloperidol led to minor increases in prolactin plasma levels that failed to reach significance.
Prolactin levels were not associated with clinical improvement or extrapyramidal side effects. Possible explanations presented for this finding included modest clinical improvement and effective treatment of extrapyramidal side effects with benztropine.
The study was supported in part by Janssen Pharmaceutica Research Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
J Clin Psychiatry 2004 Jan;65:1:57-61.
The prolactin levels vary substantially in the course of the day. The highest level is found early in the morning, briefly before awakening; only to drop again as the day progresses. The nightly rise in prolactin is sleep-related and can be shifted in time with sleep. Just as dopamine antagonistic medication enhances prolactin secretion, dopamine agonists inhibit this activity, thereby providing therapeutic leverage (see below).
Results This blood test measures the level of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Prolactin levels vary throughout the day. The highest levels occur during sleep and shortly after you wake up.
Normal Normal values may vary from lab to lab.
Prolactin Nonpregnant women: less than 20 micrograms per litre (�g/L) or 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL)
Men: less than 15 �g/L or 15 ng/mL
High values High levels of prolactin (usually higher than 200 �g/L or 200 ng/mL) may indicate a pituitary gland tumour (prolactinoma). In general, the higher the prolactin level, the more likely a pituitary gland tumour is present. If a prolactin level is over 200 �g/L or 200 ng/mL, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test is usually done to confirm the presence of a pituitary tumour. A normal or low prolactin level does not always exclude the presence of a pituitary tumour. In this case, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done if a pituitary tumour is suspected. High levels of prolactin can also indicate that the pituitary gland is producing excessive amounts of the hormone for unknown reasons (idiopathic hyperprolactinemia). In such cases, a pituitary gland tumour may be present but is too small to see with X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Other conditions that can cause high prolactin levels include pregnancy, liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, and hypothyroidism. Many conditions can alter prolactin levels. Your health professional will discuss any abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and medical history.
posted
Marnie, thx for continuing to post on prolactin. I don't have time to study your post tonite -- will do so at some point this weekend -- but this is right up my alley.
Four years after being bit, my prolactin level was skyhigh(supposed to be at a count of 20, and it was over 200. Still is.). Found that out because it stopped my period. I was age 31.
They thought I had a pituitary tumor, and I had exploratory pit surgery at age 33. Found hyperplasia, no tumor -- that done by one of the top brain surgeons in the country, so we trusted his judgement. He declared me a medical mystery. That's all I heard for 25 years, until my case was figured out. Emailed him about it. He said they had never thought about Lyme.
Taking bromocriptine made me sick, so I never did anything further.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Bb's PKC inhibitor looks to be PKC DELTA.
Bb is "downregulating" the delta proteins and sugars (D-ribose, dextrose) and Delta prolactin which is ...
"Delta prolactin is a potent prolactin antagonist ."
Brakes are off = too much prolactin.
Prolactin is known to have renal sodium retention properties in animals. PMID: 7836703
Bb NEEDS SODIUM (NaCL) for its motility!
"It is also interesting that motility of B. burgdorferi requires a high and pH 7.6, which are the normal physiological conditions for interstitial fluids. In any case, our data suggest that chemotaxis may indeed be important for the pathogenesis of B. burgdorferi."
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