Clinical significance of serum IGF-I,IGF-II and IGFBP-3 in liver cirrhosis

摘要

AIM: To investigate the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ, -Ⅱ (IGF-Ⅰ and IGF-Ⅱ), IGF-binding protein 3(IGFBP-3) and Child-Pugh score in patients with liver cirrhosis,and to search for potential clinical markers of liver function.METHODS: Forty-four patients with advanced liver cirrhosis of viral origin were divided into 3 groups according to severity of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score) and 38 healthy subjects served as controls. Serum levels of IGF-Ⅰ, IGF-Ⅱ and IGFBP-3 were measured by immunoradiometric assay.RESULTS: Serum IGF-Ⅰ, IGF-Ⅱ and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis than in controls,and serum concentrations of IGF-Ⅰ, IGF-Ⅱ and IGFBP-3 were associated with the severity of liver dysfunction, and dropped sharply during the progression of liver failure. Among these 3 parameters, serum IGF-Ⅱ was the most sensitive and effective indicator for liver dysfunction. Concentrations of IGF-Ⅰ <30 ng/mL, IGF-Ⅱ <200 ng/mL and IGFBP-3 <6 ng/mL implied a negative prognosis for patients with liver cirrhosis.CONCLUSION: Serum IGF-Ⅰ, IGF-Ⅱ and IGFBP-3 may provide a new dimension in the assessment of liver dysfunction.Combined detection of serum IGF-Ⅰ, IGF-Ⅱ and IGFBP-3 with Child-Pugh score is more effective in predicting prognosis than Child-Pugh score alone.