Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
Published on: June 11, 2017
Influence of IGF-I serum concentration on muscular regeneration capacity in patients with sarcopenia
Stefanie Jarmusch1, Lisa Baber1, Martin Bidlingmaier2
1Department of Medicine IV, Geriatrics, University Hospital of LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Background:
Previous research has described a neuroprotective effect of IGF-I, supporting neuronal survival, axon growth and proliferation of muscle cells. Therefore, the association between IGF-I concentration, muscle histology and electrophysiological markers in a cohort of patients with sarcopenia dares investigation.
Methods:
Measurement of serum concentrations of IGF-I and binding partners, electromyographic measurements with the MUNIX (Motor Unit Number Index) method and muscle biopsies were performed in 31 patients with acute hip fracture older age 60 years. Molecular markers for denervation (neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM) and proliferation markers (Ki67) were assessed by immunofluorescence staining of muscle biopsy tissue. Skeletal muscle mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis and hand-grip strength were measured to assess sarcopenia status according to EWGSOP2 criteria.
Results:
Thirty-one patients (20 women) with a mean age of 80.6 ± 7.4 years were included. Concentrations of IGF-I and its binding partners were significantly associated with sarcopenia (ß = - 0.360; p = 0.047) and MUNIX (ß = 0.512; p = 0.005). Further, expression of NCAM (ß = 0.380; p = 0.039) and Ki67 (ß = 0.424; p = 0.022) showed significant associations to IGF-I concentrations.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest a pathogenetic role of IGF-I in sarcopenia based on muscle denervation.
