Liver-derived IGF-I regulates mean life span in mice.

BACKGROUND: Transgenic mice with low levels of global insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) throughout their life span, including pre- and postnatal development, have increased longevity. This study investigated whether specific deficiency of liver-derived, endocrine IGF-I is of importance for life span. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Serum IGF-I was reduced by approximately 80% in mice with adult, liver-specific IGF-I inactivation (LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice), and body weight decreased due to reduced body fat. The mean life span of LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice (n = 84) increased 10% vs. control mice (n = 137) (Cox's test, p<0.01), mainly due to increased life span (16%) of female mice [LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice (n = 31): 26.7±1.1 vs. control (n = 67): 23.0±0.7 months, p