Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factors, and the Skeleton

GH and IGF-I are important regulators of bone homeostasis and are central to the achievement of normal longitudinal bone growth and bone mass. Although GH may act directly on skeletal cells, most of its effects are mediated by IGF-I, which is present in the systemic circulation and is synthesized by peripheral tissues. The availability of IGF-I is regulated by IGF binding proteins. IGF-I enhances the differentiated function of the osteoblast and bone formation. Adult GH deficiency causes low bone turnover osteoporosis with high risk of ver-tebral and nonvertebral fractures, and the low bone mass can be partially reversed by GH replacement. Acromegaly is characterized by high bone turnover, which can lead to…

• EL
  Eli Lilly and Company
• P
  Pfizer
• G
  GlaxoSmithKline
• S
  Sanofi
• PA
  Procter and Gamble
• A
  Acceleron
• UD
  Università degli Studi di Brescia
• I
  Ipsen
• I
  Italfarmaco
• MS
  Merck Sharp and Dohme
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

  Awards: DK 45227, DK 42424