丝胶预处理对糖尿病大鼠睾丸IGF-1表达的影响

目的探讨丝胶预处理对2型糖尿病大鼠睾丸胰岛素样生长因子-1(insulin-like growth factor-1,IGF-1)表达的影响。方法 30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组(n=10):正常对照组、糖尿病模型组和丝胶预处理组。链脲佐菌素连续腹腔注射制作2型糖尿病大鼠模型,以血糖≥16.7mmol/L作为成模标准;丝胶预处理组大鼠在注射链脲佐菌素前给予丝胶灌胃(2.4g/kg/d)35d。采用葡萄糖氧化酶法检测血糖,采用ELISA方法检测大鼠血清睾酮和IGF-1水平;分别采用免疫组化染色和RT-PCR法检测睾丸IGF-1蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果丝胶预处理可明显抑制糖尿病大鼠血糖升高,血清睾酮、IGF-1水平的降低,睾丸IGF-1表达的下降(丝胶预处理组与糖尿病模型组比较:P0.01)。结果 丝胶预处理可通过阻止糖尿病大鼠睾丸IGF-1表达的下调,改善生精功能,发挥对糖尿病生殖功能损害的预防保护作用。     

二花脸和大白猪的脂肪组织中GH-R、IGF-1和IGF-Ⅰ R基因表达的发育性变化

分别于出生当天、3、20、30、45、90、120、180日龄随机屠宰二花脸公、母猪各4头(30日龄仅有公猪),于20、30、90、120、180日龄随机屠宰大白猪公猪4头,采集背部皮下脂肪组织.用RT-PCR方法,以18S rRNA作内标,定量分析脂肪组织中生长激素受体(GH-R)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)及胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ型受体(IGF-Ⅰ R)基因表达的发育性变化,并进行品种和性别间比较.结果表明:脂肪组织中GH-R mRNA的表达有明显的发育性变化及品种差异,二花脸母猪GH-R mRNA水平出生时较低,45日龄达到高峰,之后维持稳定;二花脸公猪GH-R mRNA水平在出生时较高,至45日龄达到最高值,之后显著下降,但总体上没有性别差异;大白猪公猪GH-R mRNA水平极显著低于二花脸公猪(P＜0.01).脂肪组织中IGF-1 mRNA的表达有明显的发育性变化及性别和品种差异,二花脸母猪显著低于公猪(P＜0.05),大白猪公猪极显著低于二花脸公猪(P＜0.01); 脂肪组织中IGF-Ⅰ R mRNA的表达有明显的发育性变化,但在总体上没有明显的性别和品种差异.结果提示:猪脂肪组织中GH-R、IGF-1和IGF-Ⅰ R的基因表达有特定的发育模式,IGF-1基因表达的品种差异可能正是两品种猪脂肪沉积规律不同的主要原因之一.     

重组生长激素对猪生长激素受体和胰岛素样生长因子1基因表达及血清瘦蛋白水平的影响

16头长白×大约克去势公猪, 随机分成试验组和对照组, 每天注射重组猪生长激素(rpGH, 每头每天4 mg) 或生理盐水, 28 d后采样. 用RIA法测定血清中胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-Ⅰ)和瘦蛋白含量, 用反转录多聚酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法, 以18S rRNA作内标, 定量分析肝脏、肌肉生长激素受体 (GHR) 和IGF-ⅠmRNA的相对丰度.结果显示: (ⅰ) 试验组平均日增重提高26.1% ( P <0.05); (ⅱ)血清IGF-Ⅰ水平提高70.94% (P<0.01), 血清瘦蛋白降低34.80%(P<0.01); (ⅲ) 肝脏GHR mRNA增加24.45% (P < 0.05), IGF-ⅠmRNA增加45.30% (P<0.01), 背最长肌GHR和IGF-Ⅰ mRNA表达无明显变化. 结果表明, 重组猪生长激素能明显提高生长猪生长性能. 上调肝脏GHR, 促进肝脏产生IGF-Ⅰ, 而对肌肉GHR和IGF-I基因表达无影响, 提示重组GH对基因表达的影响有组织特异性.     

间歇低氧对大鼠骨骼肌IGF-1和myostatin基因表达的影响

目的:旨在探讨低氧对骨骼肌胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)和肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin)表达的影响。方法:SD大鼠分为常氧对照组(C)、低氧暴露组(HO)、复氧1周组(H1)。于氧浓度13.6%的低氧舱内进行间歇性低氧暴露。采用RT-PCR方法测定腓肠肌myostatin mRNA和IGF-1 mRNA的表达。结果:与常氧对照组比,低氧暴露组骨骼肌IGF-1 mRNA表达显著下降,myostatin mRNA表达显著上升;与低氧暴露组比,复氧1周组骨骼肌IGF-1mRNA表达显著上升,myostatin mRNA表达显著下降。结论:低氧暴露后骨骼肌myostatin mRNA和IGF-1mRNA表达发生反向变化,提示二者可能以相反的作用共同参与低氧对肌肉生长的调控。     

克仑特罗对绵羊肝脏血液中IGF-Ⅰ、GH和胰岛素水平的影响

克仑特罗 (ｃｌｅｎｂｕｔｅｒｏｌ ,ＣＬ)为一种 β -肾上腺素能受体激动剂。自 80年代初发现 β -受体激动剂可促进机体生长并改变机体胴体组成以来 ,许多研究均显示 β -激动剂具促进脂肪动员、减少体脂沉积、增加氮素贮存和促进蛋白质合成等作用 ,进而调节机体的生长发育 ,因而 β -激动剂又被称为“营养分重分配剂” (Ｙａｎｇ＆ＭｃＥｌｌｉｇｏｔｔ ,1989;Ｃａｒｄｏｓｏ＆Ｓｔｏｃｋ ,1996;Ｓｍｉｔｈ ,1998)。然而机体内代谢水平在很大程度上受内分泌的调控。在对影响机体生长发育的内分泌研究中 ,越来越多的证据表明胰岛素样生长…     

17β-雌二醇和跑台运动对去卵巢大鼠骨组织及子宫ERα蛋白表达影响的对比研究

目的：雌激素受体α（ERα）作为雌激素调节骨效应的主要受体在雌激素对骨量和骨代谢的调节中发挥重要的作用,为此本研究比较了17β-雌二醇（E2）和跑台运动对去卵巢大鼠骨组织和子宫ERα蛋白表达影响的异同。方法：将40只健康3月龄雌性SD大鼠,按体重分层后随机分为假手术、去卵巢、雌激素和运动四个组。手术1周后,雌激素组大鼠每周按体重颈部皮下注射三次17β-雌二醇,每次25μg／kg体重。运动组每周进行4次45min、速度18m／min、坡度5°的跑台训练。连续给药或运动处理14周后。采用放射免疫法和免疫组织化学法分别检测血清E2水平以及胫骨和子宫ERα蛋白表达的变化。结果：大鼠去卵巢后,子宫重量、子宫重量指数和血清E2水平显著下降,补充外源性17β-雌二醇后,三项指标均显著增加;但运动处理只能增加血清E2水平,对子宫重量和子宫重量指数均无显著影响。子宫EIh蛋白免疫组化结果显示：ERα在去卵巢组子宫内膜腔上皮、腺上皮及基质中的表达显著低于假手术组,而在雌激素组中的表达高于去卵巢组,运动组各部位ERα表达虽有所增加,但是增加的程度远低于雌激素组。胫骨近端ERα蛋白免疫组化结果显示：去卵巢后,胫骨近端骨骺端软骨细胞的细胞核内ERα表达减少,运动和雌激素干预后,胫骨近端ERα表达增加。结论：运动和雌激素处理均能刺激去卵巢大鼠子宫和骨组织ERα蛋白的表达,但运动处理无雌激素处理增加子宫重量的副作用。可见在绝经后骨质疏松的预防中,运动处理可能要优于雌激素处理。     

绵羊皮肤中GHR、IGF-1和IGF-1R基因表达的发育性变化及品种特点

采用相对定量反转录多聚酶链式反应 (RT-PCR)方法, 以18S rRNA作内标, 研究了罗米丽(Romilly Hillys)×中国美利奴(新疆军垦型)杂交一代优质细毛羊和哈萨克粗毛羊皮肤中生长激素受体(GHR)、胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)和胰岛素样生长因子1受体(IGF-1R) mRNA发育性变化并进行了品种间比较。分别于30、60、90、135、180和255日龄称重、采毛样, 并于30、90、135和255日龄采皮样。结果表明: 粗毛羊和细毛羊体重、羊毛生长的发育模式没有明显的差异, 30~135日龄体重迅速增加, 135~255日龄增重十分缓慢; 30~135日龄羊毛日增长逐渐增加, 135~180日龄羊毛生长十分缓慢, 而180~255日龄又上升到较高水平。粗毛羊皮肤中GHR mRNA在30~90日龄显著增加 (P<0.05), 90日龄达到高峰, 此后显著下降(P<0.05); 细毛羊在135日龄时GHR mRNA极显著地升高(P<0.01), 此后又极显著地下降。粗毛羊皮肤中IGF-1、IGF-1R mRNA 30~90日龄上升, 90日龄之后极显著下降(P<0.01); 细毛羊皮肤中IGF-1、IGF-1R mRNA出生时较高, 然后逐渐下降。品种之间比较, 细毛羊GHR mRNA出现高峰晚于粗毛羊, 135日龄高峰时显著地高于粗毛羊; 粗毛羊IGF-1、IGF-1R mRNA在90日龄出现高峰, 并极显著或显著地高于细毛羊; 粗毛羊90日龄前GHR、IGF-1和IGF-1R mRNA高于细毛羊, 之后低于细毛羊。结果提示: 绵羊皮肤中GHR、IGF-1和IGF-1R基因表达有特定的发育模式, 并存在品种差异。     

二花脸和大白猪的脂肪组织中GH—R、IGF—1和IGF—IR基因表达的发育性变化

分别于出生当天、3、2 0、30、4 5、90、12 0、180日龄随机屠宰二花脸公、母猪各 4头 (30日龄仅有公猪 ) ,于 2 0、30、90、12 0、180日龄随机屠宰大白猪公猪 4头 ,采集背部皮下脂肪组织。用RT PCR方法 ,以 18SrRNA作内标 ,定量分析脂肪组织中生长激素受体 (GH R)、胰岛素样生长因子 1(IGF 1)及胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ型受体 (IGF ⅠR)基因表达的发育性变化 ,并进行品种和性别间比较。结果表明 :脂肪组织中GH RmRNA的表达有明显的发育性变化及品种差异 ,二花脸母猪GH RmRNA水平出生时较低 ,4 5日龄达到高峰 ,之后维持稳定 ;二花脸公猪GH RmRNA水平在出生时较高 ,至 4 5日龄达到最高值 ,之后显著下降 ,但总体上没有性别差异 ;大白猪公猪GH RmRNA水平极显著低于二花脸公猪 (P <0 0 1)。脂肪组织中IGF 1mRNA的表达有明显的发育性变化及性别和品种差异 ,二花脸母猪显著低于公猪 (P <0 0 5 ) ,大白猪公猪极显著低于二花脸公猪 (P <0 0 1) ;脂肪组织中IGF ⅠRmRNA的表达有明显的发育性变化 ,但在总体上没有明显的性别和品种差异。结果提示 :猪脂肪组织中GH R、IGF 1和IGF ⅠR的基因表达有特定的发育模式 ,IGF 1基因表达的品种差异可能正是两品种猪脂肪沉积规律不同的主要原因之一。     

IGF-I和GH在缺氧缺血性脑病新生儿血清中的表达及其临床意义

目的：探究新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病（HIE）血清胰岛素生长因子1（IGF-I）和生长激素（GH）水平与患儿病情程度之间的关系。 方法：选取2005 年6 月~2014 年10 月期间我院产科出生的HIE 患儿49 例为研究对象（研究组）,选取同期健康新生儿50 例作 为对照组,分别于出生后72 小时内和26~28 天测量IGF-I和GH水平,HIE 组患儿在急性期和恢复期做神经行为测定(NBNA), 分析各个指标之间的关系。结果：新生儿血清IGF-I水平在72 h内和26-28 d四组间比较,其中重度组低于其他三组,中度组低于 轻度和对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);新生儿血清GH 水平在72 h内和26~28 d四组间比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.5）; 新生儿血清IGF-I与GH不存在显著相关性（r=0.193,P>0.05）;HIE 组患儿IGF-I 水平与NBNA分值在急性期和恢复期均存在显 著正相关(r=0.315,P<0.05;r=0.249,P<0.05),而GH 与NBNA 分值在急性期和恢复期均不存在显著的相关性（r=0.210,P>0.05）。 结论：新生儿IGF-I水平不仅可以预测HIE 患儿的病情,且可以影响新生儿HIE的预后情况。     

葛根异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松症的影响

通过对3月龄Wister大鼠,手术切除双侧卵巢后7天,每天灌胃TIP40mg/kg和10mg/kg,并设去卵巢组(OVX)、假手术组(Sham)和尼尔雌醇阳性对照组(OVX-E2),在给药3个月时,测定大鼠股骨骨矿密度(BMD)、骨钙及血清钙水平等,研究葛根异黄酮(TIP)对由雌激素缺乏引起的骨质疏松症的防治作用。结果TIP40mg/kg的BMD比去卵巢组显著提高了18.1%;使胫骨和血清钙含量显著增加;使去卵巢大鼠的脾脏重量系数和胸腺重量系数明显恢复;并可明显控制大鼠的体重。葛根异黄酮可能具有雌激素样活性,并有改善骨质疏松症的生物学活性。     

可磷酸化短肽偶联壳聚糖介导IL-1RA与IGF-1共转染对兔关节软骨细胞的作用

探讨可磷酸化短肽偶联壳聚糖(phosphorylatable short peptide coupled chitosan,pSP-CS),介导人白细胞介素 1受体拮抗剂基因(interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein,IL-1RA)和人胰岛素样生长因子1基因(insulin like growth factor-1,IGF-1) 共转染,对体外培养的兔关节软骨细胞的作用. 将pSP-CS 与共表达质粒pBudCE4.1-IL-1RA+IGF-1、单基因表达质粒pBudCE4.1-IL-1RA、pBudCE4.1-IGF-1和空质粒pBudCE4.1制成pSP-CS/pDNA复合物,转染体外分离培养的正常兔原代关节软骨细胞. ELISA 法检测IL-1RA和IGF-1的表达,以表征pSP CS转染效率;Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) 法分析软骨细胞的增殖活力;流式细胞仪检测软骨细胞的凋亡;定量PCR检测软骨细胞中基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(matrix metallo proteinase inhibitor-1, Timp-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-3(matrix metalloproteinase-3, Mmp-3)、聚集蛋白聚糖 (Aggrecan) 基因表达. 转基因组IL-1RA和IGF-1有较高的表达水平;各转基因组明显促进细胞增殖、抑制细胞凋亡、下调Mmp-3基因表达、上调Timp 1和Aggrecan基因表达,且双基因组作用明显优于单基因组(P<0.05). 结果表明,pSP-CS可以携带外源基因进入软骨细胞并大量表达, IGF-1与IL-1RA协同作用明显提高体外培养软骨细胞的生物活性, 为今后研究pSP-CS介导多基因体内治疗软骨损伤提供了基础.     

The effects of royal jelly protein on bone mineral density and strength in ovariectomized female rats

[Purpose]Sex hormones deficiency leads to dramatically bone loss in particular postmenopausal women. Royal jelly has anti-osteoporosis effect due to maintain bone volume in that condition. We hypothesized that royal jelly protein (RJP, a latent residue after extracting royal jelly) also prevents bone deficient in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats, the animal model of postmenopausal women. [Methods]Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30, 6 weeks age old) were sham operated (Sham; sham operated group, n = 7), OVX control group (OC, n = 7), OVX with low RJP intake group (ORL, n = 8), and OVX with high RJP intake group (ORH, n = 8) during 8 weeks experimental periods. In the end point of this experiment, the bone samples (lumbar spine, tibia, and femur) were surgically removed under anesthesia. These bone samples were evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength.[Results]BMD of lumbar spine in RJP intake groups (ORL, ORH) were higher than that in OC group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) in RJP intake volume dependent manner. BMD of tibial proximal metaphysis and diaphysis in RJP intake groups were also higher than these in OC group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01 / p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). In addition, breaking force of femur in RJP intake groups were significantly increase compared with that in OC group (p < 0.001 respectively). [Conclusion]These findings indicate that RJP contribute to prevent sex hormone related bone abnormality     

运动对去卵巢大鼠骨元素代谢和相关激素的影响

目的:测定大鼠骨元素含量和血清相关激素及IL-6含量,研究运动对去卵巢大鼠骨元素代谢和相关激素的影响。方法:健康4月龄雌性SD大鼠24只,用抽签法随机分成4组:正常对照组;假去卵巢组;去卵巢组;去卵巢+运动组。运动组于去卵巢术后第7 d开始运动训练,每周5 d,每天连续匀速跑45 min,16 m/min,跑道倾角0°,持续10周。结果:去卵巢大鼠骨Ca,Mg,S,Co,Mn,Zn等含量降低,骨P含量升高,血清E2,P,TSH,T4,CT,Cortisol,GH等显著降低,IL-6,FSH,LH等的含量显著升高。运动训练可使去卵巢大鼠骨Ca,Mg,S,Co,Mn等含量回升,血清E2,P,TSH,T4,CT,Cortisol,GH等显著回升,IL-6,FSH,LH等显著回降。结论:运动可纠正去卵巢所致的大鼠骨元素代谢和相关激素的改变。     

The effects of long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on bone formation in ovariectomized rats

The effects of long‐term extremely low‐frequency magnetic field (ELF‐MF) exposure on bone formation and biochemical markers were investigated in ovariectomized rats. Sixty mature female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four different groups (n = 15): (i) unexposed control (CTL); (ii) ovariectomized only (OVX); (iii) non‐ovariectomized, exposed (SHAM + ELF‐MF); and (iv) ovariectomized, exposed (OVX + ELF‐MF). The third and fourth groups were exposed to 1.5 mT ELF‐MF for 4 h a day for 6 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual energy X‐ray absorption (DEXA) measurements. The formation and resorption of bone were evaluated using bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, osteoprotogerin, and N‐telopeptide. After 6 months of ELF‐MF therapy, BMD values were significantly lower in the OVX group and higher in the OVX + ELF‐MF and SHAM + ELF‐MF groups than they were before therapy (P < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in BMD values among the groups before therapy, the BMD values increased significantly after 6 months in the OVX + ELF‐MF and SHAM + ELF‐MF groups and were reduced in the OVX group compared to the CTL group (P < 0.001). The concentrations of BAP, osteocalcin, osteoprotogerin, and N‐telopeptide in the three experimental groups also changed in a significant way compared to the CTL group. The results of the present study suggest that osteoporosis can be inhibited by ELF‐MF stimulation treatments. It was also concluded that ELF‐MF may be useful in the prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Bioelectromagnetics 33:543–549, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

尼尔雌醇对去卵巢大鼠骨元素代谢和相关激素含量的影响

目的：测定犬鼠骨矿物元素含量和血清相关激素及IL-6含量,研究尼尔雌醇（CCE3）对去卵巢（OVX）大鼠骨元素代谢和相关激素含量的影响。方法：健康4月龄雌性SD大鼠24只随机分成4组（n=6）：正常对照组;假手术组;去卵巢组;去卵巢＋CCE3组。去卵巢＋CCE3组大鼠于去卵巢手术后第2天开始给予CCE3灌胃,1ms／ks体重,每周1次,持续11周。结果：去卵巢组大鼠骨Ca、Mg、S、Co、Mn、Zn等元素含量显著降低,骨P（磷）含量升高,血清岛、P（孕酮）、TSH、T4、CT、Cortisol、GH等含量显著降低,IL-6、FSH、LH等含量显著升高。CCE3可使去卵巢大鼠骨Ca、Mg、Co、Mn、S、Zn等含量回升,骨P（磷）含量回降,血清E2、P（孕酮）、TSH、T4、CT、Cortisol、GH等显著回升,IL-6、FSH、LH等含量显著回降。结论：CCE3可纠正去卵巢所致的骨元素代谢紊乱,CCE3改变去卵巢大鼠体内相关激素和IL-6水平是CCE3去卵巢大鼠骨元素代谢紊乱的重要机制。     

IGF-1对冈田酸所致细胞损伤和Tau蛋白过度磷酸化的保护作用

目的:探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)对冈田酸(OA)诱导的细胞损伤和tau蛋白过度磷酸化的保护作用。方法:模型组以OA40nmol/L作用于SH-SY5Y细胞24h;IGF-1预处理组分别以100、200和400ng/mlIGF-1预处理2h,再加入OA作用24h。倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学变化;MTT法检测细胞活力;Hoechst染色和分光光度法检测Caspase-3活化程度观察细胞损伤;蛋白免疫印迹法检测tau蛋白磷酸化程度。结果:与模型组比较,IGF-1预处理组细胞形态改善,细胞活力增强,Caspase-3活化程度降低,且磷酸化tau蛋白(Ser396)水平下降。结论:IGF-1可能通过抑制tau蛋白过度磷酸化对OA诱导的细胞损伤具有保护作用。     

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors in EL4 lymphoma cells overexpressing growth hormone

Almost all of the previous studies with growth hormone (GH) have been done with exogenously supplied GH and, therefore, involve actions of the hormone through its receptor. However, the actions of endogenous or lymphocyte GH are still unclear. In a previous study, we showed that overexpression of GH (GHo) in a lymphoid cell line resulted in protection of the cells to apoptosis mediated by nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, we show that the protection from apoptosis could be transferred to control cells with culture fluids obtained from GHo cells and blocked by antibodies to the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) or antibodies to the IGF-1-receptor (IGF-1R). Northern and Western blot analysis detected significantly higher levels of IGF-1 in cells overexpressing GH. An increase in the expression of the IGF-1R in GHo cells was also detected by Western blot analysis, (125)I-IGF-1 binding and analysis of IGF-1R promoter luciferase constructs. Transfection of GHo cells with a dominant negative IGF-1R mutant construct blocked the generation of NO and activation of Akt seen in GHo cells compared to vector alone control EL4 cells. The results suggest that one of the consequences of the overexpression of GH, in cells lacking the GH receptor, is an increase in the expression of IGF-1 and the IGF-1R which mediate the protection of EL4 lymphoma cells from apoptosis.     

1.8 mT不同频率正弦交变电磁场对青年大鼠骨密度及骨形态计量的影响比较

比较不同频率的正弦交变电磁场对SD青年大鼠骨密度及骨形态计量指标的影响,筛选可有效提升大鼠骨密度的频率参数。将32只8周龄SD雌性大鼠随机分为4组:对照组、15 Hz组、30 Hz组、45 Hz组;除对照组外,实验组大鼠每天都给予相应频率的1.8 m T正弦交变电磁场干预,干预时间为90 min。磁场干预8周后,双能X射线骨密度仪检测大鼠全身骨密度、右侧股骨骨密度和椎骨骨密度,ELISA分析血清中骨形成与骨吸收生化指标的含量,右侧胫骨进行荧光间距测量与骨形态计量分析。相比于对照组,15 Hz组、45 Hz组大鼠的全身骨密度、股骨骨密度、椎骨骨密度均明显升高(P0.05),血清中骨钙素与骨保护素含量也显著提升(P0.05);实验组大鼠的胫骨双荧光间距与骨组织静态参数均高于对照组(P0.05)。结果表明,15 Hz、45 Hz正弦交变电磁场可有效提升青年大鼠的骨密度,从而可预防骨质疏松的发生。     

Generation of Transgenic Mice Expressing Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Under the Control of the Myelin Basic Protein Promoter: Increased Myelination and Potential for Studies on the Effects of Increased IGF-1 on Experimentally and Genetically Induced Demyelination

In order to investigate a role for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in ameliorating the effects of demyelinating events and potentiating remyelination, we have generated transgenic (tg) mice expressing IGF-1 under the control of the myelin basic protein promoter. Heterozygous tg mice expressed the highest levels of IGF-1 in brain during the most active periods of myelination as determined by Western and Northern blotting. A high level of expression was found throughout the lives of the tg mice. There was no increased expression of IGF-1 in other organs. The brains of heterozygous mice were larger than those of normal mice by 2 weeks of age, and they continued to increase in size for several months. Light and electron microscopy showed extensive myelination of axons. Behavioral studies of the older heterozygous mice documented difficulty with balance. This new tg mouse model can be bred to mice that are heterozygous for genetic leukodystrophies to produce eventually mice that are affected with a given leukodystrophy but overexpress IGF-1 during myelination and remyelination. It will be interesting to see if overexpression of IGF-1 can modulate the pathological and clinical features of the inherited leukodystrophies with or without supplemental therapies.