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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 84-B, Issue 3, 434-439.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.84B3.12027  
Copyright © 2002 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
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Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in patients with severe head injury

C. A. Beeton, PhD, Research Associate1; R. A. Brooks, PhD, Research Associate1; D. Chatfield, Research Sister2; M. Human, FRCS, Senior House Officer Plastic (Orthopaedic) Surgery3; and N. Rushton, FRCS, Director1

1 Orthopaedic Research Unit, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
2 Division of Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
3 c/o Plastic Surgery, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr C. A. Beeton.

There is evidence to suggest that fractures heal more rapidly in patients with a head injury as a result of systemic factors released from the site of this injury. We have measured the circulating level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in serum because of their known involvement in the stimulation of the activity of osteoblasts and the healing of fractures.

The serum level of IGF-1 was significantly lower in patients with both head injury and fracture and fracture only compared with that in healthy volunteers (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). The level of IGFBP-3 was also significantly lower in patients with both head injury and fracture (p < 0.01).

Our findings showed, however, that the level of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 varied from week to week in both the patients and healthy control subjects. These results indicate that the levels of circulating IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are unlikely to be responsible for the altered healing of fractures seen in conjunction with head injury.






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Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General