Figure 1
From: The IGF-1 Receptor as a Therapeutic Target to Improve Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function
Effects of growth hormone (GH) and insulin supplementation on EPCs; IGF-1 increases overall NO bioavailability that results in EPC release from the bone marrow. IGF1R activation by IGF-1 or insulin on EPC probably leads to enhanced eNOS expression and improvement of cellular functions. This may translate to improvements of vascular repair and overall reduction of cardiovascular risk.