title: Ghrelin and GHS on cardiovascular applications/functions.
abstract: Although initially recognised for their GH-releasing properties, the cardiovascular system has been recognised as a potentially important target for GH secretagogues (GHS). Moreover, a limited number of studies also indicate cardiovascular effects of ghrelin. So far reported cardiovascular effects of GHS and/or ghrelin include lowering of peripheral resistance, possible improvement of contractility and cardioprotective effects both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, these results offer an interesting perspective on the future where further studies aiming at evaluating a role of GHS and ghrelin in the treatment of cardiovascular disease are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Göteborg, Sweden. jorgen.isgaard@medic.gu.se
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Isgaard
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D054439:Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone