CardioExchange Archive

European Heart Journal Editors Defend Nissen Editorial: In an editorial published online in the European Heart Journal, the editors of the journal defend the publication of an editorial by Steven Nissen on rosiglitazone. The editorial had been published online on February 12, prompting a GlaxoSmithKline executive to write the editors asking them not to publish the editorial in the printed journal. The editors declined, and in their editorial called the request “unacceptable.” They went on to write: “We cannot suppress concerns, data or divergent opinions — we must consider them and argue with data, numbers and plausibility. Only through such a discourse can progress evolve.” The editors then offered the manufacturer an opportunity to state its position, and Nissen a chance to respond. Both the GSK statement and the Nissen response are available on the EHJ website.

Further reading: This story was first reported on CardioBrief. A detailed account of the background of this story can be read on Pharmalot.

The Straight Dope — HGH Improves Sprint Capacity: In a study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Udo Meinhardt and colleagues examined the effects of human growth hormone in 96 recreational athletes in Australia. They randomized men to HGH, testosterone, both, or placebo — and women to HGH or placebo — for 8 weeks. Overall, sprint capacity in HGH users increased by 3.9%; in men who also received testosterone, the increase was 8.3%. There were no significant differences in other performance measures (endurance, strength, and power). HGH reduced fat mass, increased lean body mass and, in men who also received testosterone, increased body cell mass. Six weeks after discontinuation of drugs, the increase in sprint capacity was not maintained. The editors of Annals write that “this is the first demonstration of change in physical performance with the drug.”