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Growth hormone and the heart.
A Colao1, P Marzullo, C Di Somma
1Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. colao@unina.it
Clinical Endocrinology
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) impacts cardiovascular health, causing issues in excess (acromegaly) and deficiency (GHD). GH therapy shows promise for treating heart failure and reversing cardiac abnormalities in GHD patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Cardiovascular dysfunction is linked to reduced life expectancy in both growth hormone (GH) excess and deficiency.
- GH and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) play crucial roles in cardiac development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cardiovascular implications of GH excess (acromegaly) and deficiency (GHD).
- To explore the potential of GH therapy in managing cardiovascular abnormalities and heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical studies on GH, IGF-I, and cardiovascular function.
- Analysis of cardiac structure and function in acromegaly and GHD patients.
- Evaluation of GH replacement therapy effects in GHD and potential therapeutic use in heart failure.
Main Results:
- Acromegaly presents with specific cardiomyopathy (hypertrophy, fibrosis, infiltration).
- GHD is associated with structural and functional cardiac abnormalities, increased vascular risk, and atheromatous plaques.
- Cardiovascular abnormalities show partial reversal with GH/IGF-I level modulation or GH replacement therapy.
- GH administration may improve hemodynamic and clinical status in heart failure patients.
Conclusions:
- GH significantly influences cardiovascular health, with both deficiency and excess posing risks.
- GH replacement therapy can potentially reverse cardiac abnormalities in GHD.
- GH therapy presents a promising, albeit preliminary, avenue for treating chronic non-endocrine heart failure.