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    Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2008 Sep;9(9):983-92.

    The effects of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 on the aging cardiovascular system and its progenitor cells.

    Devin JK, Young PP.

    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

    Aging is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Aging is also associated with a decline in the growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis. This axis impacts endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell biology, as well as cardiac function. The number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) also decreases with age and is emerging as a surrogate measurement of vascular senescence. Studies suggest that EPCs impact vascular health by modulating vascular repair and function. Current evidence demonstrates that EPC number and function is restored with a GH-mediated increase in serum IGF-1. Modulation of the GH and IGF-1 system may therefore provide a useful therapy in the prevention of age-associated changes in the cardiovascular system and in future regenerative cell-based therapies.

    PMID: 18729005 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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