title: Neuroprotection against hypoxia-ischemia by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).
abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a polypeptide hormone that has been investigated as a potential neuroprotective drug for the treatment of stroke and other forms of neural damage. Preclinical studies over the last decade have demonstrated that IGF-I and some of its fragments can protect against neuronal and glial cell degeneration in animal models of stroke such as hypoxia-ischemia. Although the results to date are encouraging, the size of the IGF-I molecule has proved problematic and has led researchers to investigate routes of administration that bypass the blood-brain barrier, such as intranasal application, or to focus on fragments of IGF-I, such as the N-terminal peptide Gly-Pro-Glut (GPE). While the results of these studies have also been positive, systematic dose-response comparisons with recognized neuroprotectants have not yet been published, the time window for therapeutic effects is not yet clear and long-term functional studies have not been conducted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. paul.smith@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1