Insulin-like growth factor I: a potential neuroprotective compound for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke?
OBJECTIVE
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) exerts neuroprotective effects in both white and gray matter under different detrimental conditions. The purpose of this review is to collect the evidence whether IGF-I is a candidate neuroprotective drug in patients with acute ischemic stroke.


RESULTS
IGF-I was found to be neuroprotective in animal models of focal brain ischemia when given >or=2 hours after the insult. Different routes of administration (eg, cerebroventricular, intravenous, and intranasal) were found to be effective. In addition to inhibition of apoptosis and reduction of the infarct volume, IGF-I also improved neurological outcome. Furthermore, there are strong indications that IGF-I can also stimulate the regeneration of neural tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional studies are required to reveal the neuroprotective mechanisms of IGF-I in detail and to elucidate the role of IGF-binding proteins. Preclinical studies in relevant animal models for studying stroke (ie, hypertensive, diabetic, or aged animals) should be done testing different doses and routes of IGF-I administration and different combinations of IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins.
Kooijman
Ron
R
Department of Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. ron.kooijman@vub.ac.be
Sarre
Sophie
S
Michotte
Yvette
Y
De Keyser
Jacques
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I