Prognostic significance of insulin-like growth factor-I serum levels in acute decompensation of cirrhosis

Context: IGF-I serum levels are suppressed in cirrhosis, but its prognostic significance is unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic value of IGF-I in patients admitted for acute decompensation of cirrhosis.

Materials and methods: Cohort study that included 103 patients. IGF-I was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Ninety-day mortality was 26.2% and it was independently associated with MELD, age and IGF-I. The Kaplan–Meier survival probability at 90 days was 94.3% in patients with IGF-I?≥13?ng/mL and 63.2% for patients with IGF-I?<13?ng/mL (p?=?.001).

Discussion and conclusion: IGF-I levels are independently associated with mortality in acute decompensation of cirrhosis.     

Isolation of a 50 000 dalton cAMP binding protein and its characterization as a regulatory subunit of protein kinase II

An unusual cAMP binding protein of 50 000 Da previously found in human tumors was isolated from HeLa cells in the presence of protease inhibitors. The protein was neutralized by anti-bovine R_II antibodies but not by anti-R_I. It was able to form a dimer, and to inhibit HeLa C kinase in a dose-dependent manner. The HeLa R_II 50 000 was also subject to limited proteolysis and it could be phosphorylated by C kinase. HeLa cells contain two R_I proteins, a predominant 49 000 Da and a minor 51 000 Da isoprotein. In addition, large amounts of a protein consisting of 19 000 and 20 000 Da subunits were isolated by 8-thio-CAMP affinity chromatography that was not immunologically related to the R proteins.