Abstract

Background: Ghrelin effects on cardiovascular system are inconclusive at present.

Aims & Objective: To determine the effectiveness of ghrelin therapy on weight gain, hormonal and cardiovascular outcomes in chronic heart failure.

Materials and Methods: All publications describing controlled trials of ghrelin in animal models of heart failure were sought through electronic searches. Two authors independently assessed all potentially relevant trials according to the prespecified selection criteria with an emphasis on selecting RCTs, and non-randomised trials. Also a third reviewer did an independent review to settle any difference of opinion between the two primary reviewers.

Results: The literature searches identified 106 references that described 57 potentially relevant trials. Five trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Three studies were randomised and the others were non- randomised. All HF models were administered ghrelin subcutaneously and trial periods lasted for as less as two days and as long as 28 days. Reported outcomes included cardiac effects and haemodynamic effect. It has been observed that chronic subcutaneous administration of ghrelin in rats with CHF reduces the development of cardiac cachexia and improved LV dysfunction. BIM-28131 is superior to BIM-28125 and human ghrelin in weight gain and induces a balanced gain of fat and lean tissue.

Conclusion: Ghrelin may has important cardio-protective significance in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Studies suggest that Ghrelin may serve as a novel therapeutic tool for the prevention and treatment of CHF. Administration of ghrelin may be a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of CHF.

Key words: Ghrelin; Chronic Heart Failure; Haemodynamic Effects