Clinical significance of serum IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 in liver cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-I, -II (IGF-I and IGF-II), IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and Child-Pugh score in patients with liver cirrhosis, and to search for potential clinical markers of liver function.


METHODS
Forty-four patients with advanced liver cirrhosis of viral origin were divided into 3 groups according to severity of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score) and 38 healthy subjects served as controls. Serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 were measured by immunoradiometric assay.


RESULTS
Serum IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis than in controls, and serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 were associated with the severity of liver dysfunction, and dropped sharply during the progression of liver failure. Among these 3 parameters, serum IGF-II was the most sensitive and effective indicator for liver dysfunction. Concentrations of IGF-I <30 ng/mL, IGF-II <200 ng/mL and IGFBP-3 <6 ng/mL implied a negative prognosis for patients with liver cirrhosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 may provide a new dimension in the assessment of liver dysfunction. Combined detection of serum IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 with Child-Pugh score is more effective in predicting prognosis than Child-Pugh score alone.
Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China. carlionje8@hotmail.com
Yun-Lin
YL
Wu
Jing
J
Ye
Shu
S
Zhang
Jie
J
Zhong
Rong-Ping
RP
Xi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
D015415:Biomarkers; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II