title: Relationship between GH/IGF-1 axis, graft recovery, and early survival in patients undergoing liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High levels of IGF-1 have been reported in patients with initial poor function of the graft after liver transplantation (LT). Correlation with other clinical variables or early survival has not been extensively investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the GH/IGF-1 profile as a function of liver recovery and patients' early survival after LT.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 transplanted patients (23 survivors and 7 nonsurvivors), were retrospectively enrolled in the study. GH and IGF-1 serum levels were assessed at baseline, graft reperfusion, and 1, 7, 15, 30 , 90, and 360 days after LT. Individual biochemical variables were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After grafting, IGF-1 in blood linearly correlated with cholesterol (r = 0.6, P = 0.001). IGF-1 levels from day 15 after surgery were statistically higher in survivors as compared to nonsurvivors. ROC curves analysis identified an IGF-1 cut-off >90 μg/L, from day 15 after surgery, as a good predictor of survival (sensitivity 86%, specificity 95%, and P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After LT, GH levels correlate with the extent of cytolysis, while IGF-1 is an indicator of liver synthetic function recovery. IGF-1 levels >90 μg/L (day 15-30) seem to be an indicator of short-term survival.
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salso
authors.affiliation: Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, "Tor Vergata" University, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tisone
authors.affiliation: Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, "Tor Vergata" University, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tariciotti
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lenci
authors.affiliation: Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, "Tor Vergata" University, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso Maria
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Manzia
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baiocchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C583557:IGF1 protein, human; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I