title: [Spectrum of effectiveness of insulin-like growth factors (IGF)].
abstract: The insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II mediate endocrine and auto-/paracrine effects of growth hormone (GH) on cell growth, cell differentiation and tissue repair. Despite their insulin-like actions in vitro, they do not play a significant role in the acute regulation of substrate metabolism, as compared to insulin and growth hormone. In contrast, administration of IGF I in vivo causes a broad spectrum of effects: it increases insulin sensitivity, improves the lipid profile, supports protein anabolism, enhances kidney function and bone turnover, and exerts beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying these effects provides the basis for potential therapeutic use of IGF I.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Endokrinologie/Diabetologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zapf
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Donath
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II