INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR-I IN THE THERAPY OF NON-INSULIN-DEPENQENT DIABETES-MELLITUS AND INSULIN-RESISTANCE

Recombinant DNA technology has made large amounts of insulin-like grow th factor-I (IGF-I) available for studies in animal models and humans. It has been shown that treatment with IGF-I is associated with increa sed insulin sensitivity in normal subjects as well as in patients with growth hormone deficiency, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus and ty pe A insulin-resistance. The metabolic effects of IGF-I appear to be b eneficial in these conditions. The reported side effects of IGF-I, whi ch may be largely due to overdosage, have limited its use to small and mostly short-term clinical studies.