The pituitary-derived hormone prolactin has been suggested to stimulate the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through its effects on metabolism and inflammation. Prolactin receptor signaling inhibition uncouples the plasma atherogenic index from atherosclerosis susceptibility in LDL receptor knockout mice.
Despite an associated decrease in VLDL/LDL-cholesterol levels, application of the prolactin receptor antagonist Del1-9-G129R-hPRL does not alter the susceptibility for initial development of atherosclerotic lesions probably due to the parallel increase in circulating leukocyte concentrations. Ref: PMID: 25063756
