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Abstract

Insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an anabolic hormone synthesized by the liver upon stimulation by growth hormone (GH). IGF-1 exerts important effects on renal hemodynamics and renal sodium handling. The bioactivity of this hormone is influenced by its binding proteins (BP) of which IGF-BP3 favors retention in the capillary lumen while IGF-BP1 facilitates the transport to the target tissues. IGF-BP1 modulates the actions of IGF-1 on target cells including renal tubules. Although a number of reports have dealt with disturbances of the IGF-1/IGF-BP system in cirrhosis, no studies have yet addressed the relationship between alterations in this system and renal function changes in cirrhosis. In the present study we have included 20 patients with cirrhosis and 10 healthy subjects (control group). As compared with the controls, patients showed lower circulating levels of IGF-1 and IGF-BP3, higher IGF-BP1 levels, and a tendency to higher insulinemia and GH values. The index IGF-1 x IGF-BP1/IGF-BP3 (IGF-1-IGF-BP index, reflecting the accessibility of circulating IGF-1 to target cells) was higher in patients with ascites. IGF-1 directly correlated with renal blood flow (P < 0.05), with IGF-BP3 (P < 0.001) and inversely with the Pugh's score (P < 0.02). A negative correlation was found between IGF-1-IGF-BP index and fractional sodium excretion (P < 0.01) and between IGF-BP1 and urinary sodium excretion (P < 0.02). Our findings support the hypothesis that the disturbance of the IGF-1/IGF-BP axis may be related to the degree of renal vasodilation and renal sodium retention in cirrhotic patients.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and its binding protein 3 as prognostic factors for the incidence, progression, and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Additionally, patients with cirrhosis had lower circulating IGF1 and IGFBP3 levels than healthy controls ( p < 0.001). This is likely because of reduced secretion of the liver-derived factors IGF1 and IGFBP3 in cirrhosis and HCC patients with chronic liver damage and functional insufficiency [ 23 ].…”

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) Expressed from an AAV1 Vector Leads to a Complete Reversion of Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

“…These, in turn, secrete mediators affecting hepatocyte survival, differentiation and function [ 10 , 24 , 30 – 32 ]. In liver cirrhosis hepatocellular insufficiency causes marked IGF-I deficiency [ 8 , 33 ] and this situation could benefit from hormone replacement therapy. In fact a pilot randomized double-bind clinical trial testing recombinant IGF-I given subcutaneously for 4 months to cirrhotic patients demonstrated amelioration of liver biosynthetic functions with significant improvement of Child-Pugh score [ 34 ].…”

A phase II study of cixutumumab (IMC-A12, NSC742460) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Among cirrhotics, IGF1 correlated with renal blood flow while a negative correlation was found between IGF1-IGF-BP index and fractional sodium excretion and between IGF-BP1 and urinary sodium excretion. These findings suggest that IGF1 may be related to renal vasodilation and renal sodium retention in cirrhotic patients [18]. …”