The Levels of Ghrelin, TNF-α, and IL-6 in Children with Cyanotic and Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

Erdal Yilmaz,Saadet Akarsu,Yasar Dogan,A Nese Citak Kurt,Yasar Sen,Bilal Ustundag

doi:10.1155/2007/32403

Abstract

Background/Aim. Ghrelin has effects on nutrient intake and growth. The cause of growth retardation in congenital heart disease is multifactorial. The aim of the present study is to investigate the ghrelin in congenital heart disease and the association of ghrelin with TNF- and IL-6. Materials and methods. We measured serum ghrelin, TNF-, and IL-6 levels using spesific immunoassay in 68 patients (47 acyanotic, 21 cyanotic with congenital heart disease) and in 25 control subjects. Results. In comparison to controls, serum ghrelin, TNF- levels were significantly higher in acyanotic patients and cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease (). In acyanotic and cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease, there was a positive correlation between ghrelin and TNF- (, and , , resp.). Conclusion. Serum ghrelin levels is elevated in acyanotic and cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease. Increased ghrelin levels represents malnutrition and growth retardation in these patients. The relation of ghrelin with cytokines may be explained by the possible effect of chronic congestive heart failure and chronic shunt hypoxemia.

Highlights

A 28-amino-acide peptide, is a potent stimulator of growth hormone release that has been implicated in the control of food intake and energy homeostasis in human begins and rodents [1,2,3,4,5]
Ghrelin is not secreted into the gastrointestinal tract like digestive enzymes but into blood vessels to circulate throughout the body [6]
There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mean age, weight, height, Body mass index (BMI)

Summary

Introduction

A 28-amino-acide peptide, is a potent stimulator of growth hormone release that has been implicated in the control of food intake and energy homeostasis in human begins and rodents [1,2,3,4,5]. Ghrelin is mainly produced in the stomach. Ghrelin is not secreted into the gastrointestinal tract like digestive enzymes but into blood vessels to circulate throughout the body [6]. Ghrelin causes weight gain by increasing food intake and reducing fat use [7, 8]. Ghrelin has effects on nutrient intake and growth hormone (GH) release, subsequently on physical development and growth [9]. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL6) are pleiotropic cytokines with numerous immunologic and metabolic actions [10, 11]. IL-6 is generally considered to be an important cytokine in the network of cytokines that regulate immune reactions and acute phase responses [12]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion