Study of the interaction between insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and sympathetic nervous system in patients with hepatorenal syndrome

ABSTRACT

The current study was conducted to understand the interactions between the sympathetic nervous system [SNS], insulin and IGF-1 in cirrhotic patients with renal impairment. This study included 42 patients with cirrhosis [14 cases without ascites, 16 with ascites and 12 with HRS] and 13 healthy subjects as a control group. Enzyme immunoassay technique was used for measurement of serum insulin, serum IGF-1 plasma noradrenaline and plasma neuropeptide Y [NPY]. The results suggested that low circulating IGF-1 might contribute to renal functional impairment in cirrhotic patients. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether IGF-1 can become a useful therapeutic agent in patients with liver cirrhosis and HRS. Progressive impairment in systemic hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients might underlie a detective sympathetic response which deserves intensive research studies