Changes in Serum Concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) during Different Methods of General Anesthesia

Abstract

Background: IGFs (insulin-like growth factors) exert acute anabolic effects on protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and have a long-term impact on cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether serum levels of IGF-1 were affected by the general anesthetics. Methods: Twenty patients, scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy were given either propofol (n = 10) or isoflurane (n = 10) general anesthesia. All patients were treated in a standardized manner in regard to surgical technique. Blood samples were taken before induction and at the time of peritoneal closure, postoperative 1 hour, and on postoperative days 2 and 5. Serum concentrations of IGF-1 were determined using an immunoradiometric assay. Results: IGF-1 levels decreased from the value before induction by 17.1% during surgery and 37.5% by day 5 in the propofol group. IGF-1 levels fell by 18.7% during surgery and returned to the preinduction level on day 5 after surgery in the isoflurane group. There were no differences in IGF-1 levels between the two groups with different methods of anesthesia. Conclusions: Our study suggests that general anesthesia with isoflurane is associated with a less effect in serum IGF-1 level than propofol. However, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to establish the definitive effect of general anesthetics on IGF.