Plasma Insulin-like Growth Factor I and IGF Binding Protein 3 Levels in Patients With Acute Cerebral Ischemic Injury

Abstract

IGF-I and IGFBP-3 plasma levels are decreased in patients after cerebral ischemia. After acute ischemic stroke, increased demand for growth factors, altered tissue distribution, and accelerated metabolic clearance rate or central inhibition of the somatotrophic axis may contribute to these low plasma concentrations. Growth factors such as IGF-I and IGFBP-3 may play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute cerebral ischemia, and growth factors may have a considerable effect on future therapeutic regimens.