Journal of Endocrinological Investigation

, Volume 31, Issue 3, pp 196–200 | Cite as

Relative cardiac expression of growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA in congenital heart disease

  • A. Nygren
  • J. Sunnegårdh
  • K. Albertsson-Wikland
  • H. Berggren
  • J. Isgaard
Original Articles
First Online:
Accepted:

Abstract

GH may exert direct growth-promoting and metabolic actions on target tissues, but most of its effects are mediated by circulating (endocrine) or local (auto-/paracrine) IGF-I. The GH/IGF-I system has an important role in cardiac development and in maintaining the structure and function of the heart. A subgroup of children with pronounced heart defects will eventually need transplants, owing to congestive heart failure. Since the symptoms are often severe and may progress while waiting for surgery, it is necessary to develop supportive medical treatment. GH has been proposed as a therapeutic agent in adults with heart failure, but to date studies are lacking on children and more information is necessary. We have examined the expression of IGF-I mRNA and GH-receptor (GH-R) mRNA in children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. Eighteen children scheduled for open-heart surgery were included in the study. Right auricular biopsies were taken at the time of venous catheterization preceding cardiac bypass. The specimens were analysed using realtime PCR. We were able to show expression of both IGF-I mRNA and GH-R mRNA in the pediatric heart. The relative expressions were inter-correlated (r=0.75, p<0.001). GH-R mRNA correlated positively to standardized weight (r=0.65, p=0.004), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.59, p=0.01), and standardized BMI (r=0.59, p=0.01). IGF-I mRNA only correlated to BMI (r=0.50, p=0.04). This is the first study displaying cardiac expression of IGF-I mRNA and GH-R mRNA in children with congenital heart disease, although further studies are needed to define a role for GH in the treatment of these patients.

Key-words

Growth hormone insulin-like growth factor-I congenital heart disease children cardiac surgery 
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Copyright information

© Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE) 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • A. Nygren
    • 1
  • J. Sunnegårdh
    • 1
  • K. Albertsson-Wikland
    • 1
  • H. Berggren
    • 2
  • J. Isgaard
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of PediatricsInstitute for the Health of Women and Children at Sahlgrenska AcademySweden
  2. 2.Department of Thoracic surgeryCardiovascular Institute at Sahlgrenska AcademySweden
  3. 3.Institute of Internal Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, Department of Internal MedicineGothenburg UniversityGothenburgSweden

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