[Clinical and metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone in cardiac insufficiency]

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Published on: March 1, 2016

Aleksandra Modlińska1, Anna Babińska, Grzegorz Faran

  • 1Zakład Medycyny Paliatywnej przy Katedrze Medycyny Rodzinnej Akademii Medycznej w Gdańsku.

Przeglad Lekarski
|November 5, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) impacts heart function, with deficiency causing issues and excess leading to heart failure. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy shows promise in treating severe heart failure patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Context:

  • Growth hormone (GH) influences cardiac function via insulin-like growth factors, affecting myocardial hypertrophy and contractility.
  • Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with reduced left ventricular mass, impaired ejection fraction, and decreased exercise tolerance.
  • Both GH deficiency and excess (e.g., acromegaly) can negatively impact cardiac health, with excessive GH potentially inducing heart failure.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the role of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in managing cardiac dysfunction.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of rhGH in patients with severe heart failure, including those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary disease.

Summary:

  • GH stimulates myocardial hypertrophy and myocyte contractility through local insulin-like growth factors.
  • GHD leads to diminished cardiac function, while excessive GH can cause heart failure.
  • rhGH administration offers a potential intervention to correct cardiac disturbances in GHD and severe heart failure.

Impact:

  • rhGH therapy may improve cardiac function in patients with GHD and severe heart failure.
  • Studies suggest rhGH treatment can enhance outcomes for patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease, potentially aiding heart transplantation.
  • Understanding GH's cardiac effects informs therapeutic strategies for heart failure and related endocrine disorders.

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