Effect of postoperative insulin-like growth factor I supplementation on protein metabolism in humans

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Abstract
Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) has been shown experimentally to exert a nitrogen‐sparing effect in both animals and humans. Its effects on protein metabolism during the first 5 days after radical large bowel resection were investigated. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to receive either human recombinant IGF‐I (2 × 80 μ/kg body weight subcutaneously, n = 10) or placebo (n = 9) starting on the morning of the first day after operation. All patients received parenteral nutrition (glucose 3 g and nitrogen 0.1 g/kg/day). The mean(s.e.m.) urinary nitrogen: creatinine ratio was significantly reduced in patients who received IGF‐I compared with those given placebo (275.0(17.1) compared with 386.3(23.6), PP < 0.05) but no patient had a hypoglycaemic attack. The authors conclude that IGF‐I does not significantly influence the nitrogen balance, but that results indicate a possible nitrogen‐sparing effect in patients after major abdominal operations. IGF‐I therapy is safe, and may be of value in catabolic patients after serious injury and major operations.
Funding Information
  • The Swedish Medical Research Council (MFR-B93-17X-10402-02A)
  • Local Research Council of Östergötland