Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 1, 2025

Sleeve Gastrectomy in Mice using Surgical Clips
05:16

Sleeve Gastrectomy in Mice using Surgical Clips

Published on: November 14, 2020

6.7K

Growth Hormone Secretory Capacity Is Associated with Cardiac Morphology and Function in Overweight and Obese

Elena Gangitano1, Giuseppe Barbaro1, Martina Susi1

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.

Cells
|August 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Obesity is linked to heart problems. In obese patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), impaired GH secretion worsens body composition, metabolic health, and cardiac function, increasing cardiovascular risk.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) exhibit altered heart structure and function.
  • Understanding the link between GH secretion and metabolic/cardiac health in obesity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between GH secretory capacity and metabolic/cardiovascular parameters in overweight/obese adults.
  • To assess how GH deficiency impacts body composition and cardiac echocardiography findings.
  • To determine if GH secretion influences metabolic phenotype and cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • 353 overweight/obese patients were studied (2009-2019).
  • Growth hormone (GH) secretory capacity was assessed using the GHRH + arginine test.
  • Body composition (DEXA), cardiac echocardiography, and metabolic parameters were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • 144 patients had GHD, 209 had normal GH secretion.
  • GHD patients showed increased visceral adipose tissue, higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and poorer cardiac parameters (epicardial fat, E/A ratio, ventricular mass).
  • GH secretory capacity linearly correlated with fasting glycemia, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • GH secretory capacity is significantly related to metabolic phenotype, body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiac morphology in obese individuals.
  • Reduced GH secretion in obese patients is a key determinant of metabolic health and cardiovascular risk.
  • These findings highlight the importance of assessing GH status in obese patients with cardiovascular concerns.

Keywords:
cardiovascular riskechocardiographyepicardial fatgrowth hormonegrowth hormone deficiencyheartmetabolic syndromeobesity

More Related Videos

Technique of Minimally Invasive Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice for Induction of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy08:34

Technique of Minimally Invasive Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice for Induction of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Published on: September 25, 2017

24.6K
Author Spotlight: Decellularization-Based Quantification of Skeletal Muscle Fatty Infiltration10:37

Author Spotlight: Decellularization-Based Quantification of Skeletal Muscle Fatty Infiltration

Published on: June 9, 2023

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
40
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
31
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
1.5K
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
601
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
1.8K
Exercise and Cardiac Output01:17

Exercise and Cardiac Output

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
1.2K