Alteration of spinal cord IGF-I receptors and skeletal muscle IGF-I after hind-limb immobilization in the rat

Time course analysis of mechanical ventilation-induced diaphragm contractile muscle dysfunction in the rat

Controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) plays a key role in triggering the impaired diaphragm muscle function and the concomitant delayed weaning from the respirator in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients. To date, experimental and clinical studies have primarily focused on early effects on the diaphragm by CMV, or at specific time points. To improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the impaired diaphragm muscle function in response to mechanical ventilation, we have performed time-resolved analyses between 6 h and 14 days using an experimental rat ICU model allowing detailed studies of the diaphragm in response to long-term CMV. A rapid and early decline in maximum muscle fibre force and preceding muscle fibre atrophy was observed in the diaphragm in response to CMV, resulting in an 85% reduction in residual diaphragm fibre function after 9-14 days of CMV. A modest loss of contractile proteins was observed and linked to an early activation of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, myosin:actin ratios were not affected and the transcriptional regulation of myosin isoforms did not show any dramatic changes during the observation period. Furthermore, small angle X-ray diffraction analyses demonstrate that myosin can bind to actin in an ATP-dependent manner even after 9-14 days of exposure to CMV. Thus, quantitative changes in muscle fibre size and contractile proteins are not the dominating factors underlying the dramatic decline in diaphragm muscle function in response to CMV, in contrast to earlier observations in limb muscles. The observed early loss of subsarcolemmal neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity, onset of oxidative stress, intracellular lipid accumulation and post-translational protein modifications strongly argue for significant qualitative changes in contractile proteins causing the severely impaired residual function in diaphragm fibres after long-term mechanical ventilation. For the first time, the present study demonstrates novel changes in the diaphragm structure/function and underlying mechanisms at the gene, protein and cellular levels in response to CMV at a high temporal resolution ranging from 6 h to 14 days.

Sparing of muscle mass and function by passive loading in an experimental intensive care unit model

The response to mechanical stimuli, i.e., tensegrity, plays an important role in regulating cell physiological and pathophysiological function, and the mechanical silencing observed in intensive care unit (ICU) patients leads to a severe and specific muscle wasting condition. This study aims to unravel the underlying mechanisms and the effects of passive mechanical loading on skeletal muscle mass and function at the gene, protein and cellular levels. A unique experimental rat ICU model has been used allowing long-term (weeks) time-resolved analyses of the effects of standardized unilateral passive mechanical loading on skeletal muscle size and function and underlying mechanisms. Results show that passive mechanical loading alleviated the muscle wasting and the loss of force-generation associated with the ICU intervention, resulting in a doubling of the functional capacity of the loaded versus the unloaded muscles after a 2-week ICU intervention. We demonstrate that the improved maintenance of muscle mass and function is probably a consequence of a reduced oxidative stress revealed by lower levels of carbonylated proteins, and a reduced loss of the molecular motor protein myosin. A complex temporal gene expression pattern, delineated by microarray analysis, was observed with loading-induced changes in transcript levels of sarcomeric proteins, muscle developmental processes, stress response, extracellular matrix/cell adhesion proteins and metabolism. Thus, the results from this study show that passive mechanical loading alleviates the severe negative consequences on muscle size and function associated with the mechanical silencing in ICU patients, strongly supporting early and intense physical therapy in immobilized ICU patients.

Insulin-like growth factors in the peripheral nervous system

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play an integral role in development, growth, and survival. This article details the current understanding of the effects of IGFs in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) during health and disease, and introduces how the IGF system regulates PNS development and impacts growth and survival of PNS cells. Also discussed are implications of IGF signaling in neurodegeneration and the status and prospects of IGF therapies for PNS conditions. There is substantial support for the application of IGF therapies in the treatment of PNS injury and disease.

Changes in tissue levels of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, and somatostatin in the femurs of hind-limb immobilized rats

Immobilization of an extremity causes skeletal muscle atrophy and a dramatic increase in bone resorption. Growth hormone (GH) is known to play an important role in bone remodeling mediated in part by local insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). In this study, we investigated changes in the levels of GH and IGF-I peptide in bone extracts from the femur after hind-limb immobilization for 5 days, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The levels of somatostatin, which interacts with GH, were also measured in the bone extracts. GH levels increased after 8 weeks of hind-limb immobilization whereas the IGF-I concentrations increased after 2 weeks, but returned to control levels at 4 weeks, and decreased after 8 weeks of immobilization. The somatostatin levels in the bone extracts increased only after 8 weeks of hind-limb immobilization. Our findings suggest that, after hind-limb immobilization, changes in the concentrations of GH, IGF-I, and somatostatin in bone may mediate bone resorption either directly or through interaction with other factors.

Insulin-like growth factors in the peripheral nervous system

IGF-I and -II are potent neuronal mitogens and survival factors. The actions of IGF-I and -II are mediated via the type I IGF receptor (IGF-IR) and IGF binding proteins regulate the bioavailability of the IGFs. Cell viability correlates with IGF-IR expression and intact IGF-I/IGF-IR signaling pathways, including activation of MAPK/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. The expression of IGF-I and -II, IGF-IR, and IGF binding proteins are developmentally regulated in the central and peripheral nervous system. IGF-I therapy demonstrates mixed therapeutic results in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury, neuropathy, and motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review we discuss the role of IGFs during peripheral nervous system development and the IGF signaling system as the potential therapeutic target for the treatment of nerve injury and motor neuron diseases.

Insulin-like growth factor I prevents corticosteroid-induced diaphragm muscle atrophy in emphysematous hamsters

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I) could attenuate or prevent diaphragm (DIA) fiber atrophy with corticosteroid (CS) administration to emphysematous (EMP) hamsters. DIA muscle IGF-I responses to CS administration with and without exogenous rhIGF-I administration were evaluated. Three groups were studied: 1) EMP; 2) EMP + triamcinolone (T; 0.4 mg.kg-1.day-1 im); and 3) EMP + T + IGF-I (600 microg/day by constant infusion). After 4 wk, the DIA was analyzed histochemically and biochemically (IGF-I mRNA levels by RT-PCR and endogenous and exogenous IGF-I peptide levels immunochemically). Body weights of EMP-T progressively decreased, while those of EMP and EMP-T-IGF-I remained stable despite similarly reduced food intake in both T groups. DIA weight was reduced with T but preserved with rhIGF-I infusion. DIA fiber proportions were similar among the groups. The cross-sectional areas of types I, IIa, and IIx fibers were reduced (17 to 31%) with T administration but unchanged with rhIGF-I infusion. DIA IGF-I mRNA levels were similar across all groups. By contrast, the endogenous DIA IGF-I levels were reduced (41%) in the EMP-T-IGF-I animals. Total DIA IGF-I levels (endogenous + exogenous) were still significantly reduced. IGF-I immunoreactivity confirmed this reduction in all DIA fibers. We conclude that DIA fiber atrophy with T was completely prevented by exogenous rhIGF-I administration. This effect was likely mediated by the pharmacological influences of exogenously administered rhIGF-I. We speculate that this results from increased bioavailability of free IGF-I to react with muscle receptors. Reduced endogenous IGF-I levels in the DIA likely reflect a negative-feedback influence. These results may have important clinical implications for treatment options to offset the adverse effects of CS on the respiratory muscles in patients with chronic lung disorders.

Space flight and insulin-like growth factor-I signaling in rat osteoblasts

The primary culture of rat osteoblasts was treated with 1alpha,25 dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and fixed with guanidine isothiocyanate solution during a space shuttle flight. The mRNA levels were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Microgravity decreased the mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and increased reciprocally the IGF-I receptor mRNA levels, as compared to the ground (1 x g) control. Microgravity completely suppressed the mRNA expression of the insulin receptor substrate-1, the postreceptor signaling molecule of IGF-I. Microgravity might deteriorate the action and signaling of IGF-I in rat osteoblasts.

Effects of short- and long-term rat hind limb immobilization on spinal cord insulin-like growth factor-I and its receptor

In this study we investigated changes in the spinal cord insulin-like growth factor-I peptide (IGF-I) and its receptors (IGF-IR) after hind limb immobilization for 5 days, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Moreover, effects on IGF-I and nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) in two types of skeletal muscle were also investigated. IGF-I levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) whereas IGF-IR and nAChRs were measured by quantitative receptor autoradiography. Spinal cord IGF-I levels decreased significantly after 5 days, 2 and 4 weeks of immobilization, whereas IGF-IR increased significantly after 4 and 8 weeks compared to controls. In skeletal muscles, nAChRs increased significantly after 5 days and 2 weeks in the soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TIB) muscles, respectively, and continued up to 8 weeks in both muscles. IGF-I concentration decrease significantly after 4 and 8 weeks in the SOL and TIB muscles, respectively. Despite the normal levels of IGF-I in both muscles at the early time points (5 days and 2 weeks), low levels of IGF-I were observed concurrently in the spinal cord ipsilateral to the immobilized limb. Our findings suggest that the early decrease in the IGF-I level and the late upregulation in the IGF-IR in the spinal cord might represent a nervous system response to disuse.

Insulin-like growth factor-I in muscle metabolism and myotherapies

The critical anabolic and trophic role of signaling by insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II via the type-I IGF receptor (IGF-IR) is reviewed throughout the life of skeletal myocytes. The proliferative effects of IGF-IR stimulation, both during embryogenesis and during satellite cell proliferation following denervation or muscle injury, are mediated primarily through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Signaling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is essential to muscle protein synthesis and glucose uptake and may contribute to the observed resilience of mature muscle to programmed cell death. Degeneration or inhibition of the GH--IGF-I axis by aging, cachexia, sepsis, diabetes, drugs, and disuse all enhance muscle catabolism, and opposition of these effects by IGF-I may form the basis of effective myotherapy.

Alterations in contractile properties of human skeletal muscle induced by joint immobilization

The effects of joint immobilization on the contractile properties of human skeletal muscle were examined using the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle. The middle finger, index finger and thumb were immobilized for a period of 6 weeks, and the contractile properties of FDI were tested before immobilization, after 3 and 6 weeks of immobilization, and after a 6 week recovery period. Twitch and tetanic contractions of FDI were evoked by per-cutaneous electrical stimulation. The peak twitch tension (Pt), contraction time (CT) and half-relaxation time (1/2RT) were measured from twitch contractions, while the stimulus frequency-force relationship was obtained from the tetanic contractions (2 s) evoked using various frequencies of stimulation (10-100 Hz). The fatigability of FDI was tested using Burke's fatigue protocol.Pt was significantly increased after 6 weeks of immobilization (P < 0.05) but little alteration was observed in CT or 1/2RT. No change was noted in the FDI fatigue index throughout the immobilization period. The stimulus frequency-force relationship was shifted to the left by immobilization, indicating that a larger percentage of maximal force was evoked by the lower rates of stimulation. Indeed, the tetanic force evoked by a stimulus frequency of 10 Hz was enhanced after immobilization (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the force evoked by frequencies above 50 Hz, including maximal tetanic tension, was decreased (P < 0.05). As a result, the twitch/tetanus ratio was increased (P < 0.01) after immobilization. The changes induced by immobilization in the FDI twitch/tetanus ratio and the estimated maximal firing rate of FDI motoneurones showed a significant correlation (r = 0.80, P < 0.05). It is suggested that the changes in the contractile properties of the FDI muscle seen after joint immobilization are causally linked to the changes in firing rate modulation of FDI motoneurones.