[Somatomedin, growth and nutritional status].

Abstract

Serum somatomedins, or insulin-like growth factor(s) (IGF), originally characterized as primarily GH-dependent peptides, were found to also be dependent on insulin levels and nutritional status. Four properties characterize somatomedin peptides: their concentrations in serum are growth hormone dependent; they possess insulin actions in extraskeletal tissues; they promote the incorporation of sulfate into proteoglycans of cartilage; and they stimulate DNA synthesis and cell multiplication in certain types of cultured cells. Reduced somatomedin C levels are found in children with severe protein-energy malnutrition. Plasma concentration of growth hormone and cortisol are both elevated and there are low levels of insulin and somatomedin C. There is evidence that the ability of somatomedin C to stimulate cartilage is modulated by somatomedin inhibitor, factor that may act to limit growth in conditions of hormonal and/or nutritional deficiency. Dietary energy and protein appears to be particularly important for both generation of somatomedins and their action on growing cartilage. Measurement of somatomedins C concentration shows promise as a means for monitoring the response of malnourished patients and rats to nutrition repletion.

• Authors: J O Tirapegui, M A Cardoso, M da G Callegaro
• Journal: Arquivos de gastroenterologia (Arq Gastroenterol) 1990 Apr-Jun Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pg. 95-102 ISSN: 0004-2803 [Print] Brazil
• Vernacular Title: Somatomedina, crescimento e estado nutricional.
• PMID: 2128794 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Dietary Proteins
• Somatomedins

Topics

• Animals
• Dietary Proteins (pharmacology)
• Growth
• Humans
• Nutritional Status
• Protein-Energy Malnutrition (blood)
• Rats
• Somatomedins (metabolism, physiology)