Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II is more closely associated with liver dysfunction than is IGF-I in patients with cirrhosis.
The aim of this investigation was to determine the total concentrations of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) in the blood serum of patients with liver cirrhosis and to evaluate their association with the condition. Cirrhosis was alcohol induced (n=27), of viral origin (n=17) or due to combined or other causes (n=21) and was moderate or severe in similar numbers of cases (Child A: n=21; Child B: n=21; Child C: n=23). While serum levels of both peptides were lower in patients than in age-matched healthy subjects (n=81), there was considerable overlap into the lower normal range for IGF-I. Moreover, no correlation between disease severity (Child score) and serum IGF-I was observed. Since a total of 78% of the results for IGF-II were outside the normal range (95% confidence interval) and serum concentrations were correlated with Child score (P=0.007), it is suggested that serum IGF-II concentrations may reflect compromised hepatic function more closely than IGF-I.
Nikolić
J A
JA
INEP - Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Banatska 31B, 11080, Zemun, Yugoslavia. anikolic@inep.co.yu
Todorović
V
V
Bozić
M
M
Tosić
L
L
Bulajić
M
M
Alempijević
T
T
Nedić
O
O
Masnikosa
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II