Serum Prolactrin and Blood Glucose Levels Before and After an Oral Glucse-load in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Liver Cirrhosis

Serum prolactin and blood glucose levels were measured in 13 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and nine patients with liver cirrhosis (Bilharzial or post-hepatic or mixed) in addition to 13 normal controls. Basal serum prolactin levels in diabetic patients did not differ significantly from levels reported for control, while those of liver cirrhosis patients were significantly higher than those of both diabetic patients and controls. After oral glucose load, all the patients showed decreased glucose tolerance accompanied with hyperprolactinemia that was more apparent and persistent in liver-cirrhosis patients. Serum insulin levels that were feasible to be measured in six liver-cirrhosis patients, showed concomitant delayed insulin rise following the glucose load that was maintained longer than in control. These findings of glucose intolerance and hyperprolactinemia were discussed and interpreted on a suggestion to be secondary to various mechanisms including peripheral insulin resistance, gluconeogenesis and/or altered response of pancreatic B-cells to glucose loading.