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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
Published on: January 7, 2016
IGF-I bioactivity better reflects growth hormone deficiency than total IGF-I
A J Varewijck1, S W J Lamberts, P Uitterlinden
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Context:
GH is considered the main regulator of circulating IGF-I. Total (extractable) IGF-I is therefore routinely used for diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) and for monitoring treatment. Methods currently used for measurement of circulating total IGF-I may be hampered by interferences of IGF-binding proteins. Recently a kinase receptor activation assay was developed to determine IGF-I bioactivity in human serum. The principle of this assay is based on quantification of IGF-I receptor activation after stimulation with serum in vitro.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of IGF-I bioactivity in adults with GHD.
Design:
This was a single-center observational study.
Study Participants:
Ninety-four GH-untreated patients diagnosed with GHD by GH-provocative tests were included.
Main Outcome Measures:
IGF-I bioactivity (determined by the IGF-I kinase receptor activation assay) and total IGF-I (determined by immunoassay) were measured in fasting blood samples.
Results:
IGF-I bioactivity was more frequently below the normal range (<-2 sd) in untreated GH-deficient patients than total IGF-I levels (81.9 vs. 61.7%, respectively), especially in patients older than 40 years of age. IGF-I bioactivity decreased with the duration of GHD, whereas total IGF-I did not. With a decreasing number of additional pituitary deficits, total IGF-I levels more frequently remained within the normal range, whereas the percentage below the normal range was high for IGF-I bioactivity, independent of additional deficits.
Conclusion:
Determination of IGF-I bioactivity may offer advantages in the evaluation of adult GHD compared with total IGF-I as bioactivity better reflects GHD as defined by GH stimulation tests, especially in subjects older than 40 years of age.
