BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Mirasol® pathogen reduction technology system for plasma is based on a riboflavin and UV light treatment process resulting in pathogen inactivation due to irreversible, photochemically induced damage of nucleic acids. This study was undertaken to evaluate the possibility of making pathogen reduced cryoprecipitate from riboflavin and ...

Summary.  Intravenous infusion studies in humans suggest that both von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) remain intravascular in contrast to other coagulation proteins. We explored whether infusion of VWF and FVIII by either intraperitoneal (i.p.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection would result in efficient absorption of these large proteins ...

ADAMTS13, endothelial von Willebrand factor (VWF) and related proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of some life threatening systemic thrombotic coagulopathies. Changes of plasma ADAMTS13 activity in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is well known but is also involved in septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Here we investigated the ADAMTS13 activity, ...

Abstract Recent evidence indicates that skewed immune responses occur in patients with essential hypertension (EH), which may be involved in the development of EH. This study aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of immune complexes (IC), procollagen type I collagen carboxypropeptide (TICP), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in EH patients. ...

Summary.  The ratio of von Willebrand factor (VWF) to FVIII differs among available VWF/FVIII concentrates. Repeated infusions of concentrates with a low VWF:FVIII ratio may expose patients with von Willebrand disease to supranormal FVIII levels. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of repeated infusions with two ...

Transthyretin (TTR)-related familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is characterized by systemic accumulation of amyloid fibrils caused by a point mutation in the TTR gene. Despite the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies, the pathogenesis of FAP still remains elusive. In our study reported here, we focused on albumin, the most abundant ...

To identify the value of von Willebrand factor (vWF) as a clinical marker in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Plasma levels of vWF were measured in 79 patients with UICC Stage I-IV CRC at time of operation and correlated with TNM categories, levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), blood groups (BG) and ...

We prospectively studied the correlations between plasma levels of von Willebrand factor and its cleaving protease-a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13)-in 126 patients who did or did not develop no-reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous intervention for acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Quantitative plasma levels of ...

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the exogenous recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin and semen quality of bulls. Twenty bulls (Aberdeen Angus and Brangus) were divided by breed into two groups. Placebo group was injected with NaCl 0.9% (s.c.) ...

Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) deficiency is characterized by increased linear growth greater than expected for the degree of obesity. The objective of the investigation was to study the somatotroph axis in obese MC4R-deficient patients and equally obese controls. We obtained anthropometric measurements and insulin concentrations in 153 MC4R-deficient subjects and ...

Medical treatment of acromegaly with long-acting somatostatin analogs (LA-SMSA) and the GH receptor antagonist, pegvisomant (PEGV), has made it possible to achieve normal serum IGF1 concentrations in a majority of patients with acromegaly. These two compounds, however, impact the GH-IGF1 axis differently, which challenges the traditional biochemical assessment of the ...

Components of the circulating and anterior pituitary insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system vary in response to steroids in pigs. However, whether serum and anterior pituitary concentrations of the IGF system vary throughout the estrous cycle has not been determined. To further examine this relationship, estrus was synchronized in 40 gilts ...

Pathological high and low levels of Insulin-like Growth factor I (IGF-I) might exert harmful influences on cardiovascular structures. In the normal population low IGF-I levels might be harmful. In a retrospective investigation in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), normal levels of NT-proBNP at baseline and no changes during two ...

We describe a 34-year-old female treated with IFN-β for 8 years with a biochemical profile suggestive of acromegaly. The patient presented with elevated serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insufficient suppression of growth hormone (GH) during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). There were no clinical features of acromegaly. A 5-day ...

The somatotropic axis, which includes growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and IGF binding proteins (IGFBP), is involved in the regulation of growth and metabolism. Measures of the somatotropic axis can be predictive of nutritional status and growth rate that can be utilized to identify nutritional status of individual animals. ...

In men, the stimulation of GH and inhibition of LH secretion by testosterone requires aromatization to estradiol. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), possesses central estrogen antagonistic effect but peripheral hepatic agonist effect, lowering IGF-I. Thus, tamoxifen is likely to perturb the neuroendocrine regulation of GH and gonadal axes. ...

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma levels of insulin-like growth factors-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and the risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. Plasma levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 of 44 cervical cancer patients, 82 CIN patients and 40 neoplasm-free ...

The integrated responses of the hormonal regulation of growth and stress in sunshine bass (Morone chrysops X Morone saxatilis) as regulated by feed deprivation were investigated. Groups of fish were fed 1.5% of the body weight per day or offered no feed for 4weeks. Another group of fish was not ...

Anorexia nervosa (AN), a state of chronic nutritional deprivation, is characterized by GH resistance with elevated GH levels and decreased levels of IGF-I. The effects of supraphysiological recombinant human GH (rhGH) on GH resistance in AN are not currently known. The aim was to investigate whether supraphysiological rhGH increases IGF-I ...

OBJECTIVE: IGF1 mediates multiple physiological and pathophysiological responses in the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between serum IGF1 as well as IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) levels and endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based observational study. METHODS: The study population ...

Phthalates are widely used chemicals, and human exposure is extensive. Recent studies have indicated that phthalates may have thyroid-disrupting properties. We aimed to assess concentrations of phthalate metabolites in urine samples from Danish children and to investigate the associations with thyroid function, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and growth. In ...

CONTEXT: The association between IGFs and cancer in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) receiving GH replacement requires investigation. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the association between IGF-I, IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2), and IGFBP-3 SD scores (SDSs) in GH-deficient adults receiving GH therapy and the occurrence of de novo malignancies. ...

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) administration on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) system in healthy trained humans still needs to be fully clarified. Furthermore, whether rhGH abuse could exert undesirable or noxious effect on health is still unclear. In order to evaluate changes in HPT axis variables in time after ...

To investigate the difference of serum and follicular expression patterns for IGFα, IGFBP4 and PAPP-A in COH cycle between PCOS and non-PCOS women. COH was performed for total 30 sterile women (20 with PCOS and 10 with normal ovarian function). The serum and follicular fluid (FF)from dominant follicles levels of ...

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations in male and female sunshine bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis) were determined in March, early April, and late April in outdoor ponds at a commercial farm. Female fish were always larger than male fish; however, plasma IGF-I concentrations tended to be higher in male ...

Circulating levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) hormones have been associated with colorectal cancer risk, but few studies have examined their associations with colorectal adenoma. We measured plasma C-peptide, a marker of insulin secretion, and IGF hormones in a case-control study of 554 pathologically confirmed, first-time adenoma cases ...

The aim of the present study was to examine possible involvement of cAMP-dependent intracellular mechanisms in control of ovarian cell steroidogenesis and its response to hormonal regulators. For this purpose, we examined the influence of administration of dbcAMP, a cAMP analogue (50 microg/animal) in vivo, on release of progesterone, testosterone ...

The IGF system plays a crucial role in ovarian folliculogenesis, and changes in IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) levels modulate IGF bioavailability. Data from various mammalian models suggest a link between body size, IGF1 in serum and female reproduction parameters. Among the vertebrate species, the dog exhibits the widest span in body ...

This study was conducted to further understand the mechanism by which nutrition modulates GH-induced changes in serum IGF1 concentration in cattle. Cows were fed hay only or corn-based concentrates in addition to hay for 8 weeks. At week 8, serum concentrations of IGF1, IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and acid-labile subunit ...

The biological implication of the growth hormone/insulin like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis in canine mammary tumours (CMT) has been recently demonstrated, however its clinical and prognostic implications are unknown. Our aim was to investigate its prognostic significance. Hormonal determinations were done by enzyme immunoassays techniques validated for canine species in ...

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth improves in pregnant women who take daily maternal multiple micronutrients [United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Preparation (UNIMMAP)] rather than iron and folic acid (IFA) alone. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to test whether such an effect was mediated by changes in concentrations of cord hormones. DESIGN: In a ...

CONTEXT: We recently showed that, in IGF-based GH therapy, the IGF-I target chosen affects GH dose requirements, and higher IGF-I targets are associated with more robust growth parameters. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the response of GH-deficient (GHD) vs. idiopathic short-stature (ISS) children to IGF-based GH ...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Subcutaneous adipose tissue grows rapidly during the first months of life. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) has a quantitatively important function in adipose tissue fat accumulation and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a determinant of neonatal growth. Recent studies showed that LPL mass in non-heparinized serum (LPLm) was an index of ...

To explore the genetic effect of the GH receptor (GHR) on obesity and related metabolic parameters in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Obesity is a growing global epidemic. Increasing evidence suggests that the GH-IGF-I axis plays an important role in regulating adiposity and insulin sensitivity. We examined the associations of genetic ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are inversely associated with inflammatory processes in an elderly background population. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: We conducted a population-based study comprising 629 individuals, aged 50-89 years. Associations between plasma ...

Growth hormone (GH) and its tissue mediator, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), are involved in oxidative processes, lipid peroxidation (LPO) included. Bivalent iron (Fe2+) is frequently used to experimentally induce oxidative damage to macromolecules (Fe2++H2O2+H+→Fe3++•OH+H2O). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GH and/or IGF-I on the ...

We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with acromegaly currently being treated with the growth hormone (GH) receptor antagonist pegvisomant showing strongly fluctuating IGF-I levels. We prospectively measured estradiol, IGF-I, IGF-I binding protein, acid labile subunit, basal endogenous GH, binding protein and pegvisomant levels for 6 months every week. ...

A 3.4-year-old girl was admitted to the Pediatric Department because of tall stature (116.0 cm, +5.1 SDS) and increased height velocity (16.3 cm/year, +6.1 SDS). Basal hormonal evaluation revealed elevated insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels (938 ng/ml, nv 40-190), prolactin (PRL) (98.0 ng/ml, nv 1.7-24.0) and mean growth hormone ...

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to calculate age- and gender-specific reference ranges for serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations using quantile regression. METHODS: From the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), 1798 men and women aged 25-85 years ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS) is a rare cause of growth retardation characterized by high serum GH levels, and low serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels associated with a genetic defect of the GH receptor (GHR) as well post-GHR signaling pathway. Based on clinical, as well as biochemical ...

The diagnosis of childhood-onset growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) is not straightforward, requiring a comprehensive clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, endocrine, and neuroradiological assessment. Although pharmacological GH stimulation tests are still considered the gold standard for GHD diagnosis, they are burdened by both poor specificity and side effects. The measurement of insulin-like ...

Growth is a remarkably complex biological phenomenon, requiring the coordinated production of multiple hormones and growth factors. Human growth is characterized by several distinct features, including: (1) rapid growth in late gestation; (2) growth deceleration immediately following birth; (3) a prolonged childhood and a mid-childhood growth spurt; (4) a pubertal ...

Hypoglycemia is reported to be one of the manifestations of a patient with hypothalamic sarcoid infiltrates due to impaired counter-regulation of glucose. But, without hypothalamic lesion, patients with sarcoidosis would not be expected to have hypoglycemia. We recently identified a patient with an isolated sarcoidosis of the spleen who had ...

Gender affects the GH secretory pattern both in normal subjects and in patients with acromegaly by an uncertain mechanism. Here, we report the influence of gender on the relationship between serum GH and IGF-I levels and the GH response to dynamic tests in patients with acromegaly. Seventy-four patients with untreated ...

OBJECTIVE: Hemodialysis (HD) patients lose lean body mass, even when they are adequately dialysed. One reason may be a decreased activity of the IGF-system. However, data on changes in bioactive IGF-I during HD are sparse. DESIGN: Ten stable, non-diabetic HD patients were studied with 30 min intervals during a scheduled ...

The growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system may be involved in neurodegenerative processes, and some abnormalities have been reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our aim was to investigate the GH-IGF axis in patients with ALS and evaluate correlations between this endocrine system and clinical features. Serum ...

The preventive effects of physical activity against cancer may partly be ascribable to a possible decrease in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) induced by the activity. To examine the association of physical activity with IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), we analyzed the data for control participants in a case-control study nested ...

Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 assays are used to monitor rhGH treatment. Some discrepancies in results obtained by means of different assays have been reported. The aim of this study was to establish normal ranges for circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in children and adolescents of Hispanic and Italian origin. Circulating levels ...

The objective of the present study was to investigate the response patterns of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to ovarian stimulation within 24 h in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with normally ovulating women. This controlled prospective clinical study involved 60 women who attended an ...

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and its main binding protein, IGFBP-3, modulate cell growth and survival, and thus are thought to be important for tumor development. Carotenoids and retinol have been linked to the prevention of several cancers. We here evaluated associations of serum levels of carotenoids and retinol with IGF-I, ...