Insulin-like Growth Factor-1

Description

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (also known as:  IGF-1;  Somatomedin-1;  Somatomedin-C) is one of the two known Insulin-like Growth Factors - it is classed as a Mitogenic Growth Factor.  IGF-1 is a Polypeptide that contains approximately 70 amino acids within its chemical structure (approximately 50% of its chemical structure is identical to that of Insulin).

Aging Process

 IGF-1 may retard the progression of the Aging Process.  ^[1]

 IGF-1 is under investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for Dwarfism.

 Children afflicted with Progeria (accelerated Aging) exhibit extremely low levels of IGF-1 - this occurs as a result of Human Growth Hormone not triggering the endogenous manufacture of IGF-1.

Cardiovascular System

 Maintaining optimal IGF-1 levels may help to prevent Atherosclerosis.  ^[2]

 Exogenous, recombinant IGF-1 may cause a reduction in afterload and causes positive contraction effects in Congestive Heart Failure patients.  ^[3] 

Cells

 IGF-1 stimulates the Growth of tissues by increasing the net NUMBER of Cells (compared to Human Growth Hormone which increases the SIZE of existing cells).

Metabolism

 IGF-1 mobilizes Fatty Acids from Adipose Tissue for usage in the endogenous production of Energy (by preventing Insulin from transporting Glucose across Cell Membranes, the body is "forced" to mobilize Fatty Acids from Adipose Tissue as an alternative source of endogenous Energy).

 IGF-1 is essential for normal Growth:

 IGF-1 binds weakly to the same Receptors within the body as Insulin (Insulin Receptors) and also binds to its own IGF-1 Receptors located on the surfaces of cells.

 IGF-1 is under investigation as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of Obesity (due its ability to mobilize Fatty Acids from Adipose Tissue in the endogenous production of Energy).

Musculoskeletal System

 Approximately 33% of Fibromyalgia patients exhibit low levels of IGF-1 (most likely as a result of insufficient release of human Growth Hormone).  ^[4]

 IGF-1 may stimulate the production of Proteins in Muscles cells (accounting for IGF-1''s unproven potential to stimulate Muscle Growth):  ^[5]

 Caution:  IGF-1 also stimulates the growth of non-muscle tissue such as that in the Thymus, Spleen and Kidneys.

 IGF-1 may increase Muscle Strength.  ^[6]

 IGF-1 may enhance the function of Osteoblasts:  ^[7]

 IGF-1 may enhance the function of Osteoblasts in Osteoporosis patients.  ^[8]

 IGF-1 may stimulate the production of Elastin in the Skin.

Nervous System

 IGF-1 may help to prevent and treat Alzheimer''s Disease (due to its ability to remove Amyloid-Beta Protein from the Brain).  ^[9]

 IGF-1 is presently under investigation for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (due to its ability to stimulate the growth of Muscle cells and to stimulate the growth of Neurons in the Brain).  ^[10]