Because IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) modulate IGF actions and hence GH secretion, this study assessed whether mice transgenic for human IGFBP-1 have altered susceptibility to glomerulosclerosis.
Kidney histological studies revealed that the double positive Tg mice with high GHA/GH expression ratios possessed normal or near normal kidneys, whereas those with low GHA/GH ratios exhibited glomerulosclerosis similar to GH-Tg mice.
Despite comparable levels of glycemia and glycated hemoglobin, severe glomerulosclerosis was found in diabetic and nondiabetic growth hormone transgenic mice; moderate glomerulosclerosis was seen in diabetic nontransgenic mice; and normal glomeruli were seen in diabetic and non-diabetic growth hormone antagonist transgenic mice as well as non-diabetic nontransgenic littermates.