Effects of full-length and truncated insulin-like growth factor-I on nitrogen balance and muscle protein metabolism in nitrogen-restricted rats

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Abstract
The ability of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to protect against losses of body protein during periods of dietary nitrogen restriction has been evaluated in young rats. Recombinant human IGF-I was administered by osmotic pumps at dose rates of 0, 1·2 or 2·9 mg/kg per day over a 7-day period beginning with the transfer of animals from an 18% to a 4% protein diet. A fourth group received the potent truncated IGF-I analogue, des(1–3)IGF-I, at a dose of 1·2 mg/kg per day over a comparable 7-day period. Plasma IGF-I levels were reduced by 60% following nitrogen restriction, a reduction that was partly prevented by IGF-I administration, especially at the higher dose, but not measurably by des(1–3)IGF-I. The major IGF-binding protein circulating in blood, IGFBP-3, demonstrated a similar pattern of change. A significant (PPP< 0·01) in the same groups. These results suggest that exogenous IGF-I and especially des(1–3)IGF-I can partly protect body protein reserves during nitrogen restriction. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 128, 97–105

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