ABSTRACT
Levels of mRNA for the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in rat heart and skeletal muscle and its dependence on GH were investigated using a solution hybridization assay. Levels of IGF-I mRNA decreased following hypophysectomy, and replacement therapy with human GH (hGH) normalized heart and skeletal muscle levels. The stimulatory effect of hGH was dose-dependent, the lowest effective dose being 100 μg. A significant increase of IGF-I mRNA was observed 60 min after s.c. administration of 100 μg hGH and the maximum increase was apparent 6–12 h after hGH injection. Administration of 200 μg IGF-I or 11 μg insulin did not significantly change levels of IGF-I mRNA. The results show that GH regulates the level of IGF-I mRNA in rat heart and skeletal muscle and give further support to the hypothesis that locally produced IGF-I might be a local mediator for the direct stimulatory effect of GH on the growth and development of heart and skeletal muscle.
Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 107–112
Control of growth hormone receptor and insulin‐like growth factor‐I expression by cortisol in ovine fetal skeletal muscle