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Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I

Meaning

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I), also known as somatomedin C, is a single-chain polypeptide hormone structurally similar to insulin, which serves as the primary mediator of Growth Hormone (GH) action in the body. Produced predominantly by the liver, IGF-I acts in an endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine fashion to stimulate systemic body growth, cell proliferation, and inhibit programmed cell death. Its circulating level is a reliable clinical marker for assessing overall GH status and diagnosing deficiency or excess.