The complex feedback system governing the production, release, and action of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and its binding proteins, primarily regulated by Growth Hormone (GH).
Context
This axis is a key component of the somatotropic system, linking the pituitary gland’s GH secretion to peripheral IGF-1 production, predominantly in the liver, which then acts on various tissues to mediate growth and metabolic effects.
Significance
Proper regulation of the IGF-1 axis is essential for normal growth and development in childhood and adolescence, and it plays roles in cellular proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and tissue repair throughout life.
Mechanism
GH stimulates IGF-1 production; IGF-1 then exerts its effects by binding to its receptor on target cells and also negatively feeds back to the pituitary and hypothalamus to modulate GH secretion, alongside regulation by IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs).
Application
Clinical applications involve diagnosing and treating growth disorders, such as GH deficiency or excess, and monitoring conditions related to metabolic dysfunction where IGF-1 levels may be altered.
Metric
Measurement of serum GH and IGF-1 levels, as well as IGFBP-3, are standard diagnostic tools for assessing the integrity and function of this axis.
Risk
Dysregulation of the IGF-1 axis can lead to significant health issues, including short stature or gigantism in childhood, and potential associations with increased cancer risk or metabolic derangements in adults.
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