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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
Insights
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.
Background:
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) promotes favorable cardiac remodeling in heart failure. However, the relation of plasma IGF-1 in patients with various degrees of heart failure is not known.
Methods:
Venous plasma samples were collected from patients with clinically documented heart failure (n = 24) and from control subjects (n = 21) for measurements of IGF-1 levels. In the heart failure group, functional assessment of the physical capacity was determined by means of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) score. Objective determination of ventricular performance was made by transthoracic echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular fractional shortening (FS).
Results:
IGF-1 levels were higher in patients with heart failure (mean age, 67 +/- 2 years; 17 men) than in control subjects (age, 71 +/- 2 years; 9 men) (20.2 +/- 2 mU/L, 14.1 +/- 2 mU/L, respectively, P <.05). However, the elevated IGF-1 levels were demonstrated only in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms (NYHA classes I and II) of heart failure (24.7 +/- 3.3 mU/L, n = 12, P =.005 vs control subjects) but not in patients with severe symptoms (NYHA classes III and IV) (15.7 +/- 2.3 mU/L, n = 12). There was a strong positive correlation between IGF-1 levels and left ventricular FS (%) (r = 0.58, P =.003, n = 24). Adjustments for other potential confounders including age, sex, treatment received, and underlying cause of heart failure did not alter the relation between IGF-1 and left ventricular FS (odds ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.26 to 6.24; P =.01).
Conclusions:
Plasma levels of IGF-1 show distinct variations with the severity of heart failure and may play a vital role in compensated heart failure.
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart Failure I: Introduction
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

