title: The effect of epidermal growth factor on circulating levels of IGF and IGF-binding proteins in adult Goettingen minipigs.
abstract: It has recently been demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) administration to neonatal rodents causes growth retardation with concomitant reductions in circulation levels of IGF-I. We describe the effects of systemic EGF administration for 4 weeks on circulating levels of IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and on thyroid hormones (tri-iodothyronine, T3; thyroxine, T4) in sexually mature pigs. Goettingen minipigs of either sex were treated with placebo (n = 5) or EGF (30 micrograms/kg per day, n = 6) s.c. for 4 weeks (in relation to an oesophageal sclerotherapy regimen). Blood samples were taken under anaesthesia before and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Circulating levels of IGF-I, insulin, glucose, T3 and T4 were analysed every week and IGFBPs every second week. IGF-I was not reduced significantly after 1 week but significantly reduced after 2 and 3 weeks of EGF treatment. A similar decline was observed for the major IGFBP, IGFBP-3, which was reduced after 2 and 4 weeks. IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 increased throughout the treatment period (all significantly at week 4). EGF treatment induced increased circulating T3 after 2, 3 and 4 weeks of EGF treatment. In conclusion, we report that EGF treatment for 4 weeks in Goettingen minipigs reduces circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3, increases circulating IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4, and induces a slight hyperthyroidism as judged from increased circulating levels of T3.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, KH Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vinter-Jensen
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Juhl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frystyk
authors.forename: E Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Dajani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oksbjerg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flyvbjerg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D018971:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / Q000097:blood; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 / Q000097:blood; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D018971:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013974:Thyroxine