Circulating insulin-like growth factors may contribute substantially to insulin receptor isoform A and insulin receptor isoform B signalling.

Background: Only a fraction of circulating insulin-like activity is due to insulin itself. The aim of this study was to determine total serum insulin-like activity mediated via the insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A) and isoform B (IR-B) by using kinase receptor activation (KIRA) assays specific for the IR-A and IR-B.

Methods: The IR-A and IR-B KIRA assays use human embryonic kidney cells which have been transfected with the human IR-A or IR-B gene and quantify serum-mediated phosphorylation of the IR.

IGF-I bioactivity better reflects growth hormone deficiency than total IGF-I.

Context: GH is considered the main regulator of circulating IGF-I. Total (extractable) IGF-I is therefore routinely used for diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) and for monitoring treatment. Methods currently used for measurement of circulating total IGF-I may be hampered by interferences of IGF-binding proteins.

Effects of acute administration of acylated and unacylated ghrelin on glucose and insulin concentrations in morbidly obese subjects without overt diabetes.

Objective: To investigate the effects of unacylated ghrelin (UAG) and co-administration of acylated ghrelin (AG) and UAG in morbid obesity, a condition characterized by insulin resistance and low GH levels.

Design And Method: Eight morbidly obese non-diabetic subjects were treated with either UAG 200 microg, UAG 100 microg in combination with AG 100 microg (Comb) or placebo in three episodes of 4 consecutive days in a double-blind randomized crossover design. Study medication was administered as daily single i.

Expression and functional analysis of dopamine receptor subtype 2 and somatostatin receptor subtypes in canine cushing's disease.

Cushing's disease (CD) is a severe disorder characterized by chronic hypercortisolism due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Transsphenoidal adenomectomy is the treatment of choice in humans with CD, but recurrences occur frequently. Finding an effective and safe medical treatment for CD may improve long-term clinical outcome.