Serum insulin-like growth factor I and its binding protein 3 in their relation to intima-media thickness: results of the study of health in Pomerania (SHIP).

Objective: Previous studies detected associations between lower insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels and increased risk of congestive heart failure or ischaemic heart disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of IGF-I and its binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) with the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as marker of asymptomatic cardiovascular disease.

Design And Population: From the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a total of 2286 participants aged 45 years or older with readable ultrasound of the carotid arteries were available for the present analyses.

Mortality and serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein 3 concentrations.

Background: Previous studies provided conflicting results regarding the association of serum IGF-I or IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the relation of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer in a prospective population-based study.

Methods: From the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) 1988 men and 2069 women aged 20-79 yr were followed up on average 8.

Five commercially available insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) assays in comparison to the former Nichols Advantage IGF-I in a growth hormone treated population.

Background: The serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) level is accepted to diagnose the growth hormone (GH) status. Here, we evaluated the DRG IGF-I 600 ELISA, DSL IGF-I ELISA, IDS OCTEIA IGF-I, Mediagnost IGF-I-ELISA, and the Siemens Immulite 2500 IGF-I in comparison to the former Nichols Advantage IGF-I assay.

Methods: Imprecision was determined by use of a serum pool and commercial control materials.

Reference ranges of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in a general adult population: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).

Objective: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), which is mostly carried by IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), mediates endocrine actions of growth hormone and represents an important prognostic factor for systemic diseases. The main objectives of the present study were (1) to calculate age- and sex-specific reference values for serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels using the Gaussian mean+/-1.96 *standard deviation method and the quantile regression method and (2) to perform a comparison of the results from both statistical methods.

Effects of growth hormone treatment on B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of heart failure in adults with growth hormone deficiency.

Objective: Patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) have abnormalities of cardiac structure and function. Growth hormone replacement (GHR) therapy can induce an increase in cardiac mass and improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been successfully used to identify patients with heart failure and they correlate with both disease severity and prognosis.