GAMMA-2-MSH IN CONGESTIVE HEART-FAILURE - RELATION TO ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE, ARGININE VASOPRESSIN AND CATECHOLAMINES

Abstract. A possible role of the proopiomelanocortin derived peptide γ2–melanocyte stimulating hormone (γ2‐MSH) has been studied in patients with various degrees of congestive heart failure (CHF). The profile of changes in circulating levels of γ2‐MSH‐like immunoreactivity (‐LI) has been compared with those of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)‐LI, arginine vasopressin (AVP)‐LI and catecholamines in CHF. Patients with moderate CHF (New York Heart Association stages I‐II) showed significantly higher levels of h‐αANP‐LI and NA (P < 0.05) compared to controls. Patients with severe CHF (stages III‐IV) had significantly higher levels of all hormones measured compared to controls: noradrenaline. P < 0.001: adrenaline, P < 0.001: γ2‐MSH‐LI, P < 0.001: h‐αANP‐LI, P < 0.05: AVP‐LI, P < 0.01. For the catecholamines and γ2‐MSH‐LI there was a significant increase from moderate to severe forms of CHF. A significant correlation was observed between γ2‐MSH‐LI and noradrenaline, and between h‐αANP‐LI and noradrenaline in patients with CHF. The present results show that γ2‐MSH‐LI is increased only in severe forms of cardiac failure, and that this change is more closely related to the increase in circulating levels of noradrenaline than to increased levels of ANP‐LI or AVP‐LI. 1990 Blackwell Publishing Ltd