Cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in patients with severe head injury

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to present time course of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients after severe head injury (SHI) and to compare with controls. METHODS Our trauma and control groups included 11 consecutive patients with isolated SHI and 9 patients with hydrocephalus (one with normotensive and eight with hydrocephalus due to aqueduct stenosis), respectively. Both serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured during post-traumatic days and we compared the levels with controls. RESULTS Patients and controls showed undetectable levels of both IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in their CSF. When considering serum levels, patients with SHI had always lower levels of both molecules than that of controls. CONCLUSION Administration of IGF-1 during acute, as well as chronic phase of severe head trauma may provide beneficial effects and may decrease both mortality and morbidity in humans with SHI.