Clinical Potential of Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

Substantial evidence supports a role for the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis in regulation of normal cardiac growth, structure and function. Moreover, experimental data suggest beneficial effects of GH and IGF-1 on contractility and peripheral resistance in rats with impaired cardiac function. An increased Ca++ responsiveness is one possible underlying cause for the improvement in contractility, although effects of GH and IGF-1 on apoptosis may also play a more long term role for cardiomyocyte survival.