Metabolic effects of IGF-I deficiency: lessons from mouse models.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) belong to the most biologically characterized family of peptides involved in metabolism, growth and development. The cellular responses to the IGFs are mediated primarily by the IGF-I receptor. The IGF-I receptor is a member of the family of tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors, and is highly homologous (70%) to the insulin receptor, especially in the tyrosine kinase domain (84%) ADDIN.

Phloridzin improves hyperglycemia but not hepatic insulin resistance in a transgenic mouse model of type 2 diabetes.

The chronic hyperglycemia that occurs in type 2 diabetes may cause deterioration of beta-cell function and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Mice that express a dominant-negative IGF-1 receptor, specifically in skeletal muscle (MKR mice), exhibit severe insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and hyper-glycemia. To determine the role of hyperglycemia in the worsening of the diabetes state in these animals, MKR mice were treated with phloridzin (PHZ), which inhibits intestinal glucose uptake and renal glucose reabsorption.

Inhibition of growth hormone action improves insulin sensitivity in liver IGF-1-deficient mice.

Liver IGF-1-deficient (LID) mice have a 75% reduction in circulating IGF-1 levels and, as a result, a fourfold increase in growth hormone (GH) secretion. To block GH action, LID mice were crossed with GH antagonist (GHa) transgenic mice. Inactivation of GH action in the resulting LID + GHa mice led to decreased blood glucose and insulin levels and improved peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Insulin resistance in the liver-specific IGF-1 gene-deleted mouse is abrogated by deletion of the acid-labile subunit of the IGF-binding protein-3 complex: relative roles of growth hormone and IGF-1 in insulin resistance.

Liver IGF-1 deficient (LID) mice demonstrate a 75% reduction in circulating IGF-1 levels and a corresponding fourfold increase in growth hormone (GH) levels. At 16 weeks of age, LID mice demonstrate, using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, insulin insensitivity in muscle, liver, and fat tissues. In contrast, mice with a gene deletion of the acid-labile subunit (ALSKO) demonstrate a 65% reduction in circulating IGF-1 levels, with normal GH levels and no signs of insulin resistance.

Reduced circulating insulin-like growth factor I levels delay the onset of chemically and genetically induced mammary tumors.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to examine the potential relationship between serum IGF-I levels and breast cancer risk. To do this, we studied liver-specific IGF-I gene-deleted (LID) mice, in which circulating IGF-I levels are 25% of that in control mice.

The role of circulating IGF-I: lessons from human and animal models.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) play a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The IGFs have mitogenic and antiapoptotic effects on normal and transformed cells. These peptide growth factors are produced by virtually all tissues and act in an endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine fashion.

Circulating levels of IGF-1 directly regulate bone growth and density.

IGF-1 is a growth-promoting polypeptide that is essential for normal growth and development. In serum, the majority of the IGFs exist in a 150-kDa complex including the IGF molecule, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and the acid labile subunit (ALS). This complex prolongs the half-life of serum IGFs and facilitates their endocrine actions.

Protein calorie restriction affects nonhepatic IGF-I production and the lymphoid system: studies using the liver-specific IGF-I gene-deleted mouse model.

Nutritional status is a critical factor that modulates the responsiveness of the liver to GH and the resulting production of endocrine (mostly liver-derived) IGF-I. Using a conditional Cre/lox P system, we have established a liver-specific IGF-I-deficient mouse model. Despite the reduction in the circulating IGF-I (75%), the growth parameters are normal, except for the reduced spleen size, providing a unique model to study the effect of protein restriction on the autocrine/paracrine GH/IGF-I axis.