Skeletal effects of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I therapy

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2016 Sep 5:432:44-55. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.09.017. Epub 2015 Sep 25.

Abstract

The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (GH/IGF) axis is critically important for the regulation of bone formation, and deficiencies in this system have been shown to contribute to the development of osteoporosis and other diseases of low bone mass. The GH/IGF axis is regulated by a complex set of hormonal and local factors which can act to regulate this system at the level of the ligands, receptors, IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), or IGFBP proteases. A combination of in vitro studies, transgenic animal models, and clinical human investigations has provided ample evidence of the importance of the endocrine and local actions of both GH and IGF-I, the two major components of the GH/IGF axis, in skeletal growth and maintenance. GH- and IGF-based therapies provide a useful avenue of approach for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis.

Keywords: Growth hormone (GH); IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs); Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs); Osteoporosis; Skeletal development.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / physiology*
  • Growth Hormone / pharmacology*
  • Growth Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / pharmacology*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / therapeutic use*
  • Models, Biological
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Growth Hormone