title: Hepatoprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor I in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) is reduced in liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of IGF-I on liver histopathology and function in experimental cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats received CCl4 inhalations for 11 or 30 weeks (protocols 1 and 2, respectively) and were treated with 2 microg x 100 g body wt(-1) x day(-1) IGF-I (group CI + IGF) or saline (group CI) on weeks 13 and 14 (protocol 1) or on weeks 28-30 (protocol 2). Normal rats were studied in parallel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum albumin and total protein levels were reduced in CI but not in CI + IGF rats compared with normal rats. Clotting factors II, VII, and X were significantly greater in CI + IGF than in CI rats. Liver lipid peroxidation products were significantly increased in CI but not in CI + IGF rats, and liver fibrosis was less pronounced in CI + IGF than in CI animals. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondrial transmembrane potential were reduced compared with normal animals in CI but not in CI + IGF rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IGF-I improves liver function and reduces oxidative liver damage and fibrosis in rats with compensated or advanced liver cirrhosis. Improved mitochondrial function could play a role in the hepatoprotective effect of this hormone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Castilla-Cortazar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muguerza
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quiroga
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santidrian
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prieto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003094:Collagen; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D002374:Catalase