title: Changes in the IGF-IGFBP axis in critical illness.
abstract: In critical illness, serum concentrations of the growth hormone-dependent complexes containing insulin-like growth factors I and II are decreased. This is initially due to a transient growth hormone resistance, but in the longer term, the less pulsatile pattern of growth hormone secretion may be a major factor since only pulsatile growth hormone increases the levels of insulin-like growth factor-I and the acid-labile subunit. Other factors contributing to a low insulin-like growth factor level are nutritional deficiency and the direct effects of inflammatory cytokines. The growth hormone-independent proteins IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-6 increase in critical illness, suggesting a redistribution of insulin-like growth factors from growth hormone-dependent ternary complexes with IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 to binary complexes with these binding proteins, which might facilitate transport to the tissues. IGFBP-1, which is acutely regulated by metabolic status, is elevated on admission to intensive care but may fall in response to nutritional support. Initial evidence suggests that the level of IGFBP-1 may be predictive of outcome in critically ill patients, suggesting a possible prognostic role for this protein.
authors.affiliation: Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D016638:Critical Illness; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D013002:Somatomedins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone