Review Article
Research progress of macroprolactinemia and detection methods
Ke Xiaoan, Gong Fengying, Zhu Huijuan
Published 2021-05-20
Cite as Int J Endocrinol Metab, 2021, 41(3): 203-206. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121383-20200423-04062
Abstract
There are three main forms of prolactin in serum, including monomeric prolactin (23 kD), bigprolactin (40-60 kD) and macroprolactin (150 kD) combined with immunoglobulin G(IgG). Macroprolactin has immunological activity but low biological activity. Macroprolactinemia is one of the common causes of hyperprolactinemia, which is often misdiagnosed as prolactinoma and overtreated. Serum macroprolactin detection methods mainly include gel filtration chromatography (GFC), polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and ultrafiltration. Except for PEG precipitation that is routinely used in clinical screening in the United Kingdom, macroprolactin detection has not been widely carried out in clinical practice at home and abroad. This review summarizes the issue of macroprolactinemia and its detection in patients with hyperprolactinemia to strengthen clinicians′ understanding and achieve accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Key words:
Hyperprolactinemia; Macroprolactinemia; Polyethylene glycol precipitation; Ultrafiltration
Contributor Information
Ke Xiaoan
State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, the Translational Medicine Center, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
Gong Fengying
State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, the Translational Medicine Center, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
Zhu Huijuan
State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, the Translational Medicine Center, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
