A STUDY ON THE SERUM LEVELS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I (IGF-I) IN PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS CHRONIC LIVER DISEASES

Abstract

To investigate insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in patients with various chronic liver diseases, we measured the serum levels of IGF-I using radioimmunoassay. The mean values of serum IGF-I in normal controls and patients with asymptomatic HBsAg carrier, chronic inactive hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were 257±67, 255±103, 251±84, 161±67, 52±47 and 52±46fmol/ml, respectively. The levels of IGF-I were correlated with those of serum albumin and hepaplastin test, and inversely correlated with the values of ICG (R15). In cirrhotic patients, the serum levels of IGF-I in the hepatic veins were decreased, but those of growth hormone in the peripheral veins were increased.
These findings indicated that decreased production of IGF-I in the liver reflected the reduction of hepatic reserve in patients with advanced chronic liver diseases.