Endocrine Abstracts

The IGFs are cellular modulators that play essential roles in the regulation of growth and development processes. Obviously, the action of IGF1 is depended on the activation of the specific receptor (IGF1R), which plays pivotal role in the growth as well as in the protection of cells against different apoptotic damages.

The aim of the study was to examined the effect of IGF1, acted by its receptor, on apoptosis process in mice hepatic and cardiac cells treated by anticancer agent-iscador Q.

Apoptotic cell death was determined by the TUNEL reaction, using the In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, POD (Roche). The mRNA expression of IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) was determined using quantitative PCR.

The Iscador Q significantly (P<0.01) increased the number of apoptotic damages in cardiac and hepatic cells compare to control group, however its effect was much stronger in the liver. IGF1 significantly reduced the number of DNA fragmentation detected by TUNEL in both tissues, but its influence was attenuated in cardiac cells.

Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the expressions of IGF1R mRNA in heart as well as in liver were significantly (P<0.01) increased in the Iscador Q-treated mice. Additionally, the same effects on IGF1R expression were observed after IGF1 injection.

In summary, the results indicate that IGF1 was able to restrict the number of apoptotic cells through overexpressed specific receptor, which seems to be an important mechanism involved in cells protection against apoptotic destruction.