Ghrelin improves left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac cachexia in heart failure.

Ghrelin is a novel growth-hormone-releasing peptide isolated from the stomach that has been identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor. This peptide results in a positive energy balance by stimulating food intake and inducing adiposity through growth-hormone-independent mechanisms. In addition, ghrelin has several cardiovascular effects, as indicated by the presence of its receptor in blood vessels and ventricles of the heart. Infusion of ghrelin decreases systemic vascular resistance and increases cardiac output in patients with heart failure. Furthermore, repeated administration of ghrelin improves cardiac structure and function, and attenuates the development of cardiac cachexia in rats with heart failure. These results suggest that ghrelin has therapeutic potential in the treatment of severe chronic heart failure.