Early serum IGF-I response to oral protein supplements in elderly women with a recent hip fracture.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In patients with recent hip fracture, reduced serum IGF-I in relation to protein undernutrition is frequent. Elevation of circulating IGF-I in response to a daily oral supplement of 20 g of casein was observed after 6 months. This study determined if the response to casein as compared to whey protein can be observed as early as after one week.

METHODS

45 women were randomized after recent hip fracture in 3 groups receiving a preparation of 20 g of casein, an isocaloric supplement of 20 g of whey protein or an isocaloric supplement of 15 g of whey protein combined with 5 g of essential amino acids (a.a.).

RESULTS

A similar significant elevation of serum IGF-I was already observed after 7 days for casein (+37.3 microg/L), whey (+29.4) and for whey+a.a. (+34.3). From day 7-28, no further significant rise in IGF-I was recorded.

CONCLUSION

After one week of protein supplementation, the percent increase of IGF-I was of similar magnitude to that previously observed after 6 months of protein supplementation. It suggests that in hip fracture patients, long-term effects of various protein preparations on IGF-I could be predicted from changes observed as early as 7 days after the onset of supplementation.