IGF-I and insulin amplify IL-1beta-induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin biosynthesis

Interleukin-1beta induces the biosynthesis of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in mesangial cell cultures from rat kidneys. This induction is enhanced in the presence of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) by inducing the translation of inducible nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase. Both IGF-I and insulin also enhances the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase. The implications of these findings on the inflammatory processes taking place in the kidneys are discussed.