title: Ghrelin and the cardiovascular system.
abstract: Although ghrelin was initially associated with regulation of appetite, the cardiovascular system has also been recognized as a potentially important target for its effects. Moreover, experimental and a limited number of clinical studies suggest a potential role for ghrelin in the treatment of congestive heart failure. So far, reported cardiovascular effects of growth hormone secretagogues and/or ghrelin include lowering of peripheral resistance, either direct at the vascular level and/or by modulating sympathetic nervous activity. Other observed effects indicate possible improvement of contractility and cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory 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 growth hormone secretagogues and ghrelin in the treatment of cardiovascular disease are warranted.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, SE- 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. jorgen.isgaard@medic.gu.se
authors: Jörgen
authors: J
authors: Isgaard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008954:Models, Biological; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D054439:Ghrelin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents