Reduction of serum insulin-like growth factor-I by dietary protein restriction is age dependent

Abstract

We have determined if dietary protein restriction for 1 wk has differential effects on growth, serum IGF-I, and liver growth hormone receptors at various stages of development. Female Wistar rats were fed a low (5%) protein diet for 7 d at 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 wk of age, whereas controls were maintained on a normal (15%) protein diet. Body wt gain was impaired in the groups fed the low protein diet, despite normal energy intake, and the effect was attenuated with age. Liver cell number (DNA content) was reduced by low protein feeding in the 3-, 4-, and 6-wk age groups (p < 0.01), but not in the older animals. Protein restriction caused a dramatic decrease in serum IGF-I in the younger animals (90 and 82% reduction versus normal fed age-matched controls, at 3 and 4 wk, respectively; p < 0.001), and this effect was progressively attenuated with increasing age (49,40, and 25% reductions of serum IGF-I at 6, 8, and 12 wk, respectively). Changes in serum IGF-I correlated with those of liver cell number (r = 0.80; p < 0.001). Total and free liver growth hormone receptors were slightly decreased in the low protein diet groups at 4 (p < 0.05) and 6 wk (total: P < 0.001; free: P < 0.01) but not in the other age groups. The occurrence of profound diet induced reductions in IGF-I without proportional reductions in liver GH receptors suggest that the apparent GH resistance occurs at a postreceptor level. Because the degree of IGF-I reduction correlates with the severity of retardation of liver growth during dietary protein restriction at different ages, we conclude that the effect of protein restriction on liver growth could be mediated through IGF-I. © 1989 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.