Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Attenuated the Expression of G-Protein Coupled Receptor Kinases in Heart Failure Patients (original) (raw)

Abstract

Background There are few biological markers, which strictly show the severity of congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results Lymphocyte G-protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK) mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 15 CHF patients: 5 patients classified as New York Heart Association class-II treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) (IIA), 5 patients in class-II without ACEI (IIC), and 5 patients in class-III treated with ACEI (IIIA). GRK mRNA level in IIIA was significantly higher than those in IIA (p<0.05). GRK mRNA level in IIA were significantly lower than those in IIC (p<0.05). Conclusions The expression level of lymphocyte GRK might show the severity of CHF, and ACEI treatment could reduce the level of GRK in CHF patients. (Circ J 2006; 70: 362 - 363)