What is the Origin of IGF-1 Concentration?

The term is deeply rooted in molecular endocrinology, stemming from the initial discovery of somatomedins, which were subsequently identified as IGFs. IGF-1 shares structural homology with insulin, hence its name, and its role as a powerful growth factor is central to human development, tissue repair, and metabolic regulation. Its precise measurement is a standard procedure in evaluating both growth disorders and age-related hormonal decline.

What is the Mechanism of IGF-1 Concentration?

Growth hormone, secreted in a pulsatile manner by the pituitary gland, travels through the bloodstream to the liver, where it binds to specific GH receptors, thereby initiating the synthesis and subsequent release of IGF-1. IGF-1 then acts via its own receptor on target cells throughout the body, stimulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and overall tissue anabolism. The circulating concentration of IGF-1 is thus a direct and integrated reflection of the somatotropic axis activity, critically impacting muscle mass, bone density, and dermal health.

IGF-1 Concentration ∞ Area

IGF-1 Concentration

Meaning

IGF-1 Concentration refers to the measurable level of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, a key polypeptide hormone circulating in the serum, which acts as the primary systemic mediator for the effects of growth hormone (GH). This peptide is predominantly synthesized and secreted by the liver in direct response to GH stimulation from the pituitary. Clinically, quantifying its concentration provides a stable, reliable biomarker for assessing overall GH status and the functional capacity of the entire GH-IGF-1 endocrine axis.