METHOD FOR ELEVATING THE CONCENTRATION OF FREE INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR

摘要

A method for elevating the concentration of a free insulin-like growth factor(IGF) by converting IGF contained in living bodies into free IGF having asufficient IGF activity; a method for elevating the concentration of theIGF/IGFP (insulin-like growth factor-binding protein) complex in livingbodies; a substance enabling the elevation of the above concentrations; drugscontaining this substance; and a method for screening this substance. Thus,the IGF effect is expressed by administering not IGF externally but thesubstance capable of increasing free IGF in living bodies. This substance isuseful as a preventive and/or remedy for diseases which can be preventedand/or treated by using IGF, such as diabetes, amyotrophic lateral sclerosisand osteoporosis.