Clinical uses of insulin-like growth factor I.
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has acute insulin-like metabolic effects and long-term anabolic actions. The therapeutic potential of recombinant human IGF-I treatment is being investigated in various growth hormone-resistant and insulin-resistant disorders. Recent studies have shown that IGF-I may substitute for growth hormone in promoting linear growth in children with growth hormone insensitivity. The anabolic, protein-sparing action of IGF-I is being evaluated as a potential therapy for adults with catabolic diseases. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus have reduced endogenous IGF-I production, and studies are in progress to determine whether treatment with IGF-I in addition to insulin may improve their metabolic/anabolic status. Insulin-like growth factor I treatment may reduce glucose and triglyceride levels in adults with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in some patients with extreme insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IGF-I treatment in these and other conditions and to provide a better understanding of this hormone's normal physiologic role(s) and complex relations with growth hormone and insulin.
Bondy
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Developmental Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Underwood
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Clemmons
D R
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Guler
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Bach
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MA
Skarulis
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M
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone