Growth hormone axis in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
We investigated the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/growth hormone (GH) axis in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This was a prospective study that was carried out in 2010. The study included an analysis of levels of GH, insulin, IGF-1, and its binding protein (IGFBP-3) in 43 patients with STEMI, 30 patients with NSTEMI, and 30 healthy individuals (control group). Blood samples for all analyses were taken within 24 h of admission. We found lower IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels and higher GH, C-reactive protein, glucose, and glycol glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in both STEMI and NSTEMI patients compared with controls. Insulin levels and the insulin resistance index did not differ between NSTEMI patients and controls. A significant difference in GH values was observed between the STEMI and NSTEMI groups (P<0.05). The increased GH levels in the STEMI compared with the NSTEMI group are consistent with a stronger inflammatory response in patients with STEMI.