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Effects of ghrelin on growth and cardiac function in infants with congenital heart disease
Tomohiro Kitamura1, Toshiaki Shimizu, Natsuki Ohkawa
1Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Active ghrelin (A-Ghr) levels in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) correlate with cardiac function and body weight, but not height or BMI. Higher A-Ghr levels were found in infants with severe heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Growth Factors
Background:
- Ghrelin influences appetite and growth, with emerging evidence of cardiac effects.
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) infants with heart failure have not been studied for ghrelin levels.
- Understanding ghrelin's role in CHD is crucial for managing these complex conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ghrelin levels and growth parameters in infants with CHD.
- To examine the association between ghrelin levels and cardiac function in CHD infants.
- To explore correlations with other growth factors like leptin and IGF-1.
Main Methods:
- Studied 28 infants diagnosed with CHD.
- Collected blood samples during intracardiac catheterization.
- Correlated plasma ghrelin levels with anthropometric data (z-scores, BMI, weight gain rate), heart failure severity, leptin, and IGF-1.
Main Results:
- Active ghrelin (A-Ghr) showed a significant negative correlation with body weight z-score.
- A-Ghr levels positively correlated with cardiac function indicators.
- Higher A-Ghr levels were observed in infants with a high heart failure index score.
Conclusions:
- Active ghrelin (A-Ghr) plays a role in cardiac function in infants with CHD.
- Ghrelin appears to have a limited impact on the physical growth (physique) of these infants.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate ghrelin's role in pediatric cardiovascular health.
Background:
Ghrelin has effects on appetite and growth. Recent reports suggest effects on cardiac function, but no study has evaluated the ghrelin levels of congenital heart disease (CHD) infants with heart failure. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate the relationship between ghrelin level and growth and cardiac function in CHD infants.
Methods:
Twenty-eight infants with CHD were eligible for the study. Blood samples were obtained at the time of insertion of intracardiac catheter and correlation was examined between ghrelin plasma level and anthropometric parameters, including z score of height and weight, body mass index (BMI), and %bodyweight gain rate, severity of heart failure, and the levels of leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1.
Results:
In the CHD group, active ghrelin (A-Ghr) had a significant negative correlation with z score of bodyweight, and a significant positive correlation with cardiac function. There were no correlations, however, with height and BMI. A-Ghr levels were significantly higher in the high heart failure index score group. Significant correlation between A-Ghr and desacyl-ghrelin in the CHD group was observed.
Conclusions:
A-Ghr is involved in cardiac function and has little effect on their physique in infants with CHD.
