Ghrelin is a novel GH (growth hormone)-releasing peptide isolated from the stomach. The cardiovascular and hormonal effects of the subcutaneous administration of ghrelin in humans remain unknown. Six healthy volunteers each received subcutaneous administration of three doses of ghrelin (1, 5 or 10 μg/kg) and placebo; the order of administration was randomized, and separate doses were given at least 24 h apart. The serum GH level dose-dependently increased from 0.5±0.4 to 3.6±2.1 ng/ml (1 μg/kg ghrelin; P=0.99 compared with baseline), 27.1±12.0 ng/ml (5 μg/kg; P<0.01 compared with baseline) and 45.4±12.8 ng/ml (10 μg/kg; P<0.01 compared with baseline) 30 min after ghrelin administration. Subcutaneous administration of ghrelin did not significantly alter circulating levels of corticotropin, cortisol, insulin-like growth factor-1, noradrenaline or adrenaline, although 10 μg/kg ghrelin slightly increased the prolactin level. No significant changes in heart rate or mean arterial pressure were observed. In contrast, the left ventricular ejection fraction, as assessed by echocardiography, increased dose-dependently from 63.5±0.6% to 65.1±0.9% (1 μg/kg ghrelin; P=0.97 compared with baseline), 69.6±1.3% (5 μg/kg; P<0.01 compared with baseline) and 71.5±0.9% (10 μg/kg; P<0.01 compared with baseline) 30 min after ghrelin administration. These haemodynamic and hormonal changes were still apparent 60 min after ghrelin injection. In conclusion, subcutaneous administration of ghrelin dose-dependently induced relatively specific GH release and enhanced cardiac performance in humans.
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October 2003
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Research Article|
October 01 2003
Cardiovascular and hormonal effects of subcutaneous administration of ghrelin, a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide, in healthy humans
Mitsunobu ENOMOTO;
Mitsunobu ENOMOTO
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
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Noritoshi NAGAYA;
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
Correspondence: Dr Noritoshi Nagaya, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan (e-mail [email protected]).
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Masaaki UEMATSU;
Masaaki UEMATSU
†Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Seamen's Insurance Hospital, Osaka, Japan
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Hiroyuki OKUMURA;
Hiroyuki OKUMURA
‡Department of Biochemistry, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Eiichiroh NAKAGAWA;
Eiichiroh NAKAGAWA
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
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Fumiaki ONO;
Fumiaki ONO
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
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Hiroshi HOSODA;
Hiroshi HOSODA
‡Department of Biochemistry, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Hideo OYA;
Hideo OYA
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
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Masayasu KOJIMA;
Masayasu KOJIMA
‡Department of Biochemistry, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Katsuo KANMATSUSE;
Katsuo KANMATSUSE
§Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Kenji KANGAWA
Kenji KANGAWA
‡Department of Biochemistry, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
May 19 2003
Accepted:
May 29 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 29 2003
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© 2003 The Biochemical Society
2003
Clin Sci (Lond) (2003) 105 (4): 431–435.
Article history
Received:
May 19 2003
Accepted:
May 29 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 29 2003
Citation
Mitsunobu ENOMOTO, Noritoshi NAGAYA, Masaaki UEMATSU, Hiroyuki OKUMURA, Eiichiroh NAKAGAWA, Fumiaki ONO, Hiroshi HOSODA, Hideo OYA, Masayasu KOJIMA, Katsuo KANMATSUSE, Kenji KANGAWA; Cardiovascular and hormonal effects of subcutaneous administration of ghrelin, a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide, in healthy humans. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 October 2003; 105 (4): 431–435. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20030184
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