Short-term treatment using insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) improves life expectancy of the delta-sarcoglycan deficient hamster

Background The hamster strain CHF147 presents a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) due to a large deletion of the delta-sarcoglycan gene that leads to heart failure. This cardiomyopathy induces premature death. We have previously shown that a short-term treatment using IGF-1 preserves cardiac structure and improves function of the CHF147 hamster. Methods In the current study, we measured long-term effects of short-term treatment with recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) in CHF147 hamsters. CHF147 hamsters (7-8 months old) were implanted under the skin with an osmotic pump filled either with saline or with recombinant human IGF-1 at a total dose of 25 pg. The osmotic pump allowed a continuous delivery of the protein for a mean duration of 19 days. Results We observed a significant increase in overall survival, as well as preservation of cardiac function, in the rhlGF-1-treated group. At the time of death, hearts of treated animals did not present any macroscopical or histological differences compared to those of sham hamsters. These results show that rhIGF-1 treatment slows down the evolution of the DCM in the CHF147 hamster. Moreover, the low dose treatment did not increase IGF-1 serum levels. Conclusions This study is the first one reporting beneficial effects of lGF-1 treatment on survival of an animal model presenting DCM. Our results raise hopes for a new therapeutic approach of this pathology. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.