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Recombinant growth hormone: a new cardiovascular drug therapy
M Gomberg-Maitland1, W H Frishman
1Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) impacts cardiovascular health, with deficiency increasing disease risk. GH replacement therapy shows potential benefits for heart function and metabolic factors in conditions like CHF and aging.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular physiology, primarily mediated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
- Both GH excess and deficiency are linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates, including cardiomyopathy.
- Relative GH deficiency in aging populations may elevate risks for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the cardiovascular effects of Growth Hormone (GH) replacement therapy.
- To evaluate GH's potential as a treatment for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and as a maintenance therapy for the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on GH's physiological effects on the cardiovascular system.
- Analysis of clinical trial data (including those using GHRH) on GH's impact on myocardial contractility, vascular resistance, and metabolic markers.
Main Results:
- GH replacement therapy can improve myocardial contractility and decrease peripheral vascular resistance.
- GH therapy has been shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fibrinogen, and PAI levels.
- GH can enhance skeletal muscle function and reduce adiposity, contributing to its therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- GH replacement therapy offers significant cardiovascular benefits, including improved cardiac function and favorable metabolic changes.
- GH therapy is a promising treatment for patients with CHF and a potential long-term option for elderly individuals.
- Ongoing clinical trials with GHRH aim to mitigate potential adverse effects of GH therapy, such as hyperglycemia and hypertension.
Abstract:
GH has an important role in normal cardiovascular physiologic functioning, working indirectly through effects on IGF-1. An excess or deficiency of GH causes an increased rate of cardiovascular disease, including cardiomyopathy. A relative GH deficiency in older subjects may also increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk. In replacement doses, GH can enhance myocardial contractility; can decrease peripheral vascular resistance; and can reduce total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol values and fibrinogen and PAI levels. These effects of GH, coupled with the ability to improve skeletal muscle function and reduce adiposity, make it an attractive treatment for patients with CHF and a potential maintenance drug for elderly people. Clinical trials, including studies with GHRH that may reduce the adverse effects of GH therapy, such as hyperglycemia and hypertension, are now in progress.