AIMS:

Myostatin (Mstn), a member of the transforming growth factors (TGF)-β family that regulate skeletal muscle growth, has been identified as a regulator of cardiomyocyte growth. The aim of our study was to measure Mstn plasma concentrations in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate their relationship with other neurohormones released in CHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

concentrations of Mstn were measured using a competitive immunoassay, in 76 CHF patients who were receiving optimal treatment and 60 healthy controls. Circulating levels of other neurohormones N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and Big ET-1 were also measured. Plasma Mstn was higher in CHF patients than in controls (63.0 vs. 43.0 ng/mL; P < 0.001). In CHF, Mstn levels correlated positively with NT-proANP (r=0.25; P=0.03), BNP (r=0.33; P<0.01), NT-proBNP (r=0.32; P<0.01), and Big ET-1 (r=0.26; P=0.02). No significant correlations were observed with age and creatinine.

CONCLUSION:

Our results demonstrate that plasma concentrations of Mstn are significantly increased in CHF patients and that Mstn correlates with biomarkers related to HF severity. Our study confirms the activation of Mstn in patients with heart failure.