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IGF-I

Meaning

IGF-I, or Insulin-like Growth Factor-I, is a potent anabolic peptide hormone structurally homologous to insulin, playing a critical role in growth, cellular proliferation, and tissue repair. Primarily synthesized in the liver in response to growth hormone (GH) stimulation, IGF-I mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of GH throughout the lifespan. Circulating levels are used clinically as a reliable marker of average growth hormone secretion. Its functions extend beyond growth, significantly influencing metabolism, bone density, and muscle maintenance.