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Plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 elevated in mild-to-moderate but not severe heart failure
M K Al-Obaidi1, J K Hon, P J Stubbs
1National Heart and Lung Institute, Department of Cardiology, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK. m.al-obaidi@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
American Heart Journal
|November 22, 2001
Summary
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels are higher in heart failure patients, particularly those with mild symptoms. Higher IGF-1 correlates with better heart function, suggesting a role in compensated heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is known to promote beneficial cardiac remodeling in heart failure.
- The relationship between plasma IGF-1 levels and the varying severity of heart failure in patients has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma IGF-1 levels and the clinical status of patients with heart failure.
- To explore the correlation between IGF-1 levels and objective measures of cardiac function.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples were analyzed for IGF-1 levels in 24 heart failure patients and 21 controls.
- Heart failure severity was assessed using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification.
- Left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), a measure of ventricular performance, was determined via echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Patients with heart failure exhibited higher mean IGF-1 levels compared to control subjects (20.2 vs. 14.1 mU/L).
- Elevated IGF-1 levels were specifically observed in patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure (NYHA classes I and II), but not in those with severe symptoms (NYHA classes III and IV).
- A significant positive correlation was found between IGF-1 levels and left ventricular fractional shortening (r = 0.58, P = .003), independent of confounders.
Conclusions:
- Plasma IGF-1 levels vary significantly depending on the severity of heart failure.
- IGF-1 may play a crucial role in maintaining cardiac function in compensated heart failure states.
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