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Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 35 P923 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.35.P923

1Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; 2Department of Cardiology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; 3Department of Clinical and Dental ScienceS, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.


It is well known that heart failure is associated with oxidative stress (OS). Reactive oxygen species in fact influence sarcolemmal and mitochondrial ione channels, which are responsible for cardiomyocyte excitability and are important in myocardial remodeling after a myocardial infarction. The decrease of anabolic axes can have a role in the progression of the illness.

In order to evaluate the relationship between growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and indexes of OS, we have performed a dynamic GH evaluation and determined oxidized form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (component of mitochondrial respiratory chain also endowed with antioxidant properties) in a group of 12 patients (10 male and 2 female, age 49–73) affected by heart failure (NYHA II-III; EF<40%).

GH secretion was evaluated after administration of Arginine (20 g/500 ml)+GHRH (50 μg). Basal IGF1 was also assayed. GH was evaluated by CLIA method, IGF1 by ECLIA and CoQ10 was evaluated by HPLC, as total and oxidized form, also calculating their ratio (CoQox/CoQtot ratio).

Five out of 12 patients presented a total GHD (mean ± ES peak GH: 3.87±2.73 ng/ml; IGF1: 97.4±9.8 ng/ml). 3 showed a partial GHD (mean ± ES peak GH: 8.98±2.94 ng/ml; IGF1: 143±57.21 ng/ml). While 4 patients showed a normal GH response (mean±ES peak GH: 16.05±0.88 ng/ml; IGF1: 122.5±24 ng/ml).

CoQox/CoQtot ratio were significantly higher in GHD patients (mean ± ES 14±0.04%) than in patients with normal GH (mean ± ES 7±0.01%), thus expressing an augmented oxidation of the molecule.

These preliminary data indicate that GHD is associated to an increased OS in patients with heart failure and suggest that this hormonal alteration can have a role in the physiopathology of this condition.

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