Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein-3 serum levels in relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I has a role in remyelination, and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) might reduce its bioavailability. A role of IGFBP-3 in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression was hypothesized in patients with primary progressive (PP) MS.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) MS and their correlations with disease activity and progression.

METHODS:

Sixty-three (41 RR and 22 SP) 'naive' MS patients and 60 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were assessed through clinical [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), number of relapses] and laboratory investigations. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS:

Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were similar in the two MS groups. IGFBP-3 levels were higher in patients with MS than in controls (P < 0.001), with a reduction in IGF-I/BP3 ratio (P < 0.001). Patients showing IGFBP-3 levels higher than 2SD of the normal population had a higher EDSS (mean EDSS 3.7 vs. 2.8, P = 0.021). MSSS was not related to IGF-I or IGFBP-3 serum levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our patients showed high IGFBP-3 serum levels respect to controls and higher serum levels were associated with a higher EDSS, despite of comparable disease duration. Therefore, MS and higher disability seem to be associated with a reduction in bioavailability of IGF-I. MSSS score was not related to IGFBP-3 levels, suggesting that IGFBP-3 might not have the pathogenetic role previously suggested for PP MS, in the mechanism of progression in the SP form of disease.

• Authors: R Lanzillo, C Di Somma, M Quarantelli, G Ventrella, M Gasperi, A Prinster, G Vacca, C Pivonello, G Orefice, A Colao, V B Morra
• Journal: European journal of neurology (Eur J Neurol) Vol. 18 Issue 12 Pg. 1402-6 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1468-1331 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21585623 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2011 The Author(s). European Journal of Neurology © 2011 EFNS.

Chemical References

• IGFBP3 protein, human
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (blood, physiology)
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (analysis, physiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive (blood, physiopathology)
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting (blood, physiopathology)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Time Factors