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Abstract. A specific antiserum for human IGF-II has been produced by immunizing rabbits against the synthetic peptide IGF-II(33–40). With this antiserum and IGF-II as tracer a radioimmunoassay for IGF-II has been developed. Cross-reactivity with IGF-I was 0.05% and half-maximal displacement occurred at 2.5 μg IGF-II per 1. It was demonstrated that residual IGF-binding protein (IGF-BP) in acid-ethanol extracts interferes with IGF-II measurements and may produce erroneously high values. This interference could be completely blocked by excess IGF-I (25 ng per tube). Utilizing this method IGF-II was measured in subjects at various developmental stages. In newborns, the mean serum level was 237 μg/l (N = 56) with a range of 132–430 μg/l (5- and 95-percentile, respectively). During the first year of life a considerable increase occurred. Thereafter IGF-II increased only slightly with age from 520 μg/l (range 368–735) to 647 μg/l (range 507–823) in adults. In patients with growth hormone deficiency (N = 57) IGF-II levels were significantly (P <0.001) lower than in controls (mean 261 μg/l, range 126–542). It is concluded 1) that residual IGF-binding proteins in acid-ethanol extracts may cause considerable error in IGF-II measurements, and 2) that this interference can be completely blocked by excess IGF-I, if highly specific antisera are used.

Abstract. Six somatomedin-like peptides were purified from human plasma Cohn fraction IV by a six-step procedure which included ethanol precipitation, reversed-phase extraction, gel filtration, chromatofocusing and reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Purification was monitored with a competitive protein binding assay using a crude preparations of somatomedin carrier protein. The peptides isolated were homogeneous by reversed-phase HPLC and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Their apparent isoelectric points determined by chromatofocusing were 9.2 (Sm I), (Sm II), 8.2 (Sm III), 6.7 (Sm IV), 6.3 (Sm V), and 6.15 (Sm VI). SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions revealed that they are composed of a single peptide chain with apparent molecular weights of 6800 for Sm I, II and IV and 6400 for Sm III, V, and VI. They were equally potent in the porcine costal cartilage in vitro bioassay. The basic peptides (Sm I–III) were significantly more active in radioimmunoassays for somatomedin C (SmC) and insulin-like growth factor I C-peptide (IGF-I (30–41)), while only the slightly acidic peptides were active in a radioimmunoassay for insulin-like growth factor II C-peptide (IGF-II (33–40)). When receptor binding was tested with human placental cell membranes and Sm III as tracer, the basic peptides were significantly more potent than Sm IV–VI. With rat liver cell membranes and Sm V as tracer the slightly acidic peptides were more potent.

These findings suggest 1) that human plasma may contain other somatomedin-like peptides besides the major components IGF-I/SmC and IGF-II, and 2) that the basic peptides are structurally related to IGF-I/SmC and the slightly acidic peptides are related to IGF-II.

Knip M, Tapanainen P, Pekonen F, Blum WF. Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in prepubertal children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Eur J Endocrinol 1995:133:440–4. ISSN 0804–4643

To study the possible role of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the discrepancy between normal or only slightly retarded growth and substantially reduced concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in prepubertal children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), we measured the plasma concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 and free insulin in 24 prepubertal diabetic subjects and 12 control children. In addition, the growth hormone response to exercise was evaluated. The diabetic children had significantly decreased peripheral IGF-I levels (8.2 + 1.1 (sem) vs 16.7 + 2.5 nmol/l; p < 0.001), whereas the concentrations of free insulin were increased (217 + 14 vs 103 + 21 pmol/l; p < 0.001). The concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 were of the same magnitude in both groups. The diabetic children had significantly increased levels of IGFBP-2 (465 + 13 vs 416 + 14 μg/l; p = 0.029), which were inversely related to the circulating IGF-I levels (r = −0.35; p = 0.034). The diabetic and control children had comparable growth hormone responses to exercise. Diabetic children with poor glucose control had even lower IGF-I levels than those with moderate metabolic control (6.0 + 0.8 vs 10.3 + 1.7 nmol/l; p = 0.037). No differences could be observed in the plasma concentrations of various IGFBPs between these two groups of diabetic subjects. The absence in prepubertal diabetic children of increased IGFBP-1 levels observed in adolescent and adult patients with IDDM may contribute to their maintained linear growth, despite definitely decreased IGF-I concentrations. The role of increased IGFBP-2 levels in prepubertal children with IDDM remains open, but the inverse relationship between IGF-I levels and IGFBP-2 concentrations suggests that IGF-I may be involved in the regulation of IGFBP-2.

Mikael Knip, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oulu, FIN-90220 Oulu, Finland

The effect of recombinant GH on strength, body composition and endocrine parameters in power athletes was investigated in a controlled study. Twenty-two healthy, non-obese males (age 23.4±0.5 years; ideal body weight 122±3.1%, body fat 10.1±1.0%; mean±sem) were included. Probands were assigned in a double-blind manner to either GH treatment (0.09U (kg BW)⁻¹ day⁻¹ sc) or placebo for a period of six weeks. To exclude concurrent treatment with androgenic-anabolic steroids urine specimens were tested at regular intervals for these substances. Serum was assayed for GH, IGF-I, IGF-binding protein, insulin and thyroxine before the onset of the study and at two-weekly intervals thereafter. Maximal voluntary strength of the biceps and quadriceps muscles was measured on a strength training apparatus. Fat mass and lean body mass were derived from measurements of skinfolds at ten sites with a caliper. For final evaluation only data of those 8 and 10 subjects in the two groups who completed the study were analyzed. GH, IGF-I and IGF-binding protein were in the normal range before therapy and increased significantly in the GH-treated group. Fasting insulin concentrations increased insignificantly and thyroxine levels decreased significantly in the GH-treated probands. There was no effect of GH treatment on maximal strength during concentric contraction of the biceps and quadriceps muscles. Body weight and body fat were not changed significantly during treatment. We conclude that the anabolic, lipolytic effect of GH therapy in adults depends on the degree of fat mass and GH deficiency. In highly trained power athletes with low fat mass there were no effects of GH treatment on strength and body composition.

ABSTRACT

In 33 patients with Turner's syndrome growth during a one year period of treatment with low doses of estrogens was evaluated (group A: (N=12) Presomen^R 5–9 μg/kg d; group B: (N=9) Presomen^R 10–21 μg/kg d; group C: (N=12) ethinylestradiol 45–155 ng/kg d) and compared to a group (N=37) of untreated patients. The auxological evaluation was made using SDS derivations based on control data derived from 150 untreated patients. Based on chronological age (CA) SDS levels for height velocity and the increments in height at the end of treatment increased marginally. Compared to untreated patients no effect was seen when calculations were based on bone age (BA) due to an advancement in bone maturity. It is concluded that low doses of estrogens are not suitable to improve the height development in Turner's syndrome.

Abstract. Human somatomedins (Sm) are heterogeneous on separation by chromatofocussing. Besides the 'classic' insulin-like growth factor I and II (IGF-I/Sm-C and IGF-II), a number of minor peaks emerge which can be classified as IGF-I/Sm-C-like or as IGF-II-like. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether or not polymorphism of somatomedins is present in individuals and whether or not the polymorphic pattern changes during development. Serum extracts from normal healthy children and adults were fractionated by chromatofocussing and the various somatomedin-like peptides were quantitated by specific radioimmunoassays for IGF-I/Sm-C or IGF-II. The results demonstrate 1) that heterogeneity of somatomedins is a common phenomenon existing in all individuals studied, and 2) that the polymorphic patterns of the IGF-I/Sm-C-family and of the IGF-II-family remain rather stable during development, although minor changes are evident.

Kratzsch J. Blum WF, Ventz M, Selisko T, Birkenmeyer G, Keller E. Growth hormone-binding proteinrelated immunoreactivity in the serum of patients with acromegaly is regulated inversely by growth hormone concentration. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;132:306–12. ISSN 0804–4643

In this report we describe a newly developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the determination of the high-affinity growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP) in human blood. Using this RIA for the measurement of GHBP in serum of 29 patients with acromegaly, decreased concentrations were found compared to the normal range, depending on the activity of the disease. Growth hormonebinding protein was correlated inversely to log GH (r = −0.7, p < 0.001). A weaker relationship was shown between the GHBP activity determined in a functional assay based on charcoal separation and log GH (r = −0.51, p< 0.01). While insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) were correlated directly to log GH (r = 0.77 and r = 0.66, p < 0.001), an inverse and weaker relationship was evident between GHBP measured by RIA and IGF-I or IGFBP-3 (r = −0.61 and r = −0.57,p < 0.01). In contrast, no correlation could be detected between data of the functional GHBP assay and IGF-I or IGFBP-3, These results suggest, that: (1) in patients with acromegaly the GH receptor density in tissue reflected by the GHBP serum levels seems to be down-regulated, depending on the increased GH level; (2) low GHBP concentrations indicate an active disease in acromegaly and may be of diagnostic interest; (3) presuming that the GH receptor density is related to GH sensitivity, the variation of GH sensitivity is less important for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 production than the circulating GH concentration, at least in the situation of acromegaly; (4) because endogenous GH does not interfere in that assay, the RIA provides a valuable tool for the investigation of regulations between GH, GHBP and the GH receptor, especially in patients with acromegaly. The GHBP levels may be used as a sensitive parameter of GH oversecretion and tissue sensitivity to this hormone.

Jürgen Kratzsch, Inst. Clin. Chem., University of Leipzig, Paul-List-Str. 13–15, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany

Tönshoff B, Blum WF, Vickers M, Kurilenko S, Mehls 0, Ritz E. Quantification of urinary insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding protein 3 in healthy volunteers before and after stimulation with recombinant human growth hormone. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;132:433–7. ISSN 0804–4643

We examined excretion of urinary insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and their major binding protein IGFBP-3 in comparison to their respective serum concentration in nine healthy female volunteers (median age 25 years, range 22–27) under baseline conditions and after stimulation with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), 4.5 IU twice daily subcutaneously for a period of 3 days. The IGFs were measured in unconcentrated urine by use of recently developed, highly sensitive radioimmunoassays. The IGFBP-3 was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. The mean (±sd) urinary concentrations of IGF-I (0.08 ± 0.07 μg/l), IGF-II (1.02 ± 0.47 μg/l) and IGFBP-3 (19.1 ± 6.9 μg/l) were two to three orders of magnitude lower than in serum. The ratio of IGF-II over IGF-I concentration in urine (13:1) was five times higher than in serum (2.5:1), and the ratio of IGFBP-3 over the sum of IGF-I and IGF-II in urine (17:1) was four times higher than in serum (4:1). Urinary excretion was 63.3 ± 46.6 ng·m⁻² · 24 h⁻¹ for IGF-I, 1002 ± 598 ng·m⁻² · 24 h⁻¹ for IGFII and 18039 ± 4983 ng·m⁻²·24 h⁻¹ for IGFBP-3. Using fast protein liquid exclusion chromatography, only immunoreactive IGFBP-3 components of less than 60 kD were detected in urine, with a major peak at 20kD. Urinary IGFBP-3 excretion correlated with serum IGFBP-3 (r = 0.61, p < 0.01) and the glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.56, p < 0.05) measured by steady-state inulin infusion clearances. Administration of rhGH stimulated significantly (p < 0.005) the serum IGF-I concentration by 50%, but not the urinary IGF-I excretion. In conclusion: the considerably higher ratio of IGF-II to IGF-I in urine compared to serum indicates that urinary IGF excretion does not represent only filtered IGFs, urinary IGF-I is a less sensitive indicator of GH activity than serum IGF-I, and as urinary IGFBP-3 excretion is in proportion to the glomerular filtration rate and serum IGFBP-3, it presumably reflects renal filtration of small immunoreactive IGFBP-3 fragments from the circulation.

Burkhard Tönshoff, University Children's Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 150, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Thorén MC, Wivall-Helleryd I-L. Blum WF, Hall KE. Effects of repeated subcutaneous administration of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I in adults with growth hormone deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;131:33–40. ISSN 0804–4643

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) circulates bound to specific binding proteins (BPs) that modulate its effects at target cells. Hypoglycemia alters the serum levels of insulin-dependent IGFBPs and thus modifies the IGF-I action. We administered recombinant IGF-I (40 μg/kg body wt, from Kabi Pharmacia) in a morning dose (08.00 h) for seven consecutive days to six patients (21–47 years) with panhypopituitarism. This dose did not lead to hypoglycemia. Repeated blood sampling was performed on days 1 and 7, otherwise morning samples were drawn. The mean serum total IGF-I was maximal 3–4 h after the injection. A higher peak and basal value (p < 0.05) was observed on day 7 when compared to that observed on day 1. The concentrations were 237 vs 190 μg/l and 43 vs 22 μg/l. The mean free IGF-I increased concomitantly to 17 and 20 μg/l after 2–3 h on days 1 and 7. After 4 h, IGF-II was decreased (p <0.05) from 340 to 291 μg/l on day 1 and from 341 to 252 μg/l on day 7. The IGF-I area under the curve on days 1 and 7 was correlated to the IGFBP-3 levels. Only the patient with the highest IGFBP-3 level obtained IGF-I levels above 100 μg/l for 24 h. In spite of unchanged glucose levels, there was a modest suppression of insulin levels (p < 0.05) between 0 and 4 h from 102 to 78 pmol/l on day 1 and from 90 to 60 pmol/l on day 7 when the subjects were fasting. A small decline of mean potassium concentrations was found 2–6 h after the injection on day 1. During a week with daily injections, the morning serum IGF-I increased slightly in comparison to basal levels but no significant change in morning values of IGFBP-1, -2, -3, glucose and insulin were observed. Serum urea, creatinine, cholesterol and free fatty acid decreased significantly, indicating metabolic effects of IGF-I. Thus IGF-I has metabolic effects in doses not leading to hypoglycemia. To achieve a normal diurnal IGF-I level, recombinant IGF-I should be administered two or three times per 24 h in subjects with subnormal IGFBP-3 levels.

Marja Thorén, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden