The growth hormone insulin-like growth factor axis in kidney revisited

Studies characterizing actions of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in kidneys of adult and developing animals and humans have provided a good deal of insight into the functions of these peptides. Although certain of the actions may be mediated directly by GH, most appear to result from effects of GH to increase levels of circulating IGF or IGF produced in kidney. In addition to GH, epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhances the renal synthesis of IGF-I. Enhancement of renal IGF-I expression is GH independent in compensatory hypertrophy. Stimulation of kidney IGF-I production also occurs in diabetes mellitus. Renal IGF-I production is elevated in these settings in the absence of changes in circulating IGF-I, consistent with a causative role of renal IGF-I for the accompanying increased glomerular filtration rate and kidney growth. Actions of IGF in kidney are initiated following binding of peptides to specific receptors. Receptor number may be altered during compensatory growth and in diabetes mellitus. In addition to IGF, several IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) are produced in kidney and are likely to both inhibit and enhance the actions of IGF in different circumstances through sequestration of peptides and regulation of peptide interactions with their receptors. Administration of IGF-I to rats following acute ischemic injury hastens the recovery of normal renal function and accelerates the regeneration of the damaged proximal tubular epithelium. IGF-I increases the glomerular filtration rate in humans with normal and reduced functional kidney mass. These findings establish the potential for use of this peptide as a therapeutic agent in the settings of acute and chronic renal failure.