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Biotin deficiency in mice is associated with decreased serum availability of insulin-like growth factor-I

European Journal of Nutrition volume 48, pages 137–144 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Biotin deficiency leads to decreased weight and nose-rump length in mice.

Aim of the study

The mechanisms underlying this impairment in body growth are yet unclear. Biotin restriction, however, could affect the availability of growth hormone (GH) and/or insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) since both hormones control body growth. We then conducted a correlative study aimed at establishing whether biotin dietary restriction is associated with decreased GH/IGF-I serum concentrations.

Methods

Levels of GH and IGF-I were measured through ELISA in serum samples of male BALB/cAnN mice fed with: 1] standard chow diet (control diet); 2] 30% egg-white biotin-deficient diet; or 3] 30% egg-white diet supplemented with 16.4 µmol biotin per kilogram (biotin sufficient diet). Relative food consumption, as adjusted per gram of body weight, was also determined. GH and IGF-I measurements were taken individually for 20 weeks beginning at the postnatal week 3, when the animals started consuming the corresponding diets. In addition, femur’s weight and longitudinal growth and the organization of its growth plate were all analyzed as indicators of GH/IGF-I function.

Results

No differences in relative food consumption were observed among the three groups of mice along the experimental period that was evaluated. IGF-I serum levels, but not GH ones, were decreased in biotin deficient mice. These animals also showed decreased femur’s longitudinal growth, speed of lengthening and weight gain, as well as shorter and disorganized growth plates.

Conclusions

This study shows that biotin dietary restriction is indeed associated with decreased availability of IGF-I and diminished long bone growth and elongation. These conditions could explain the impairment of longitudinal body growth previously reported in biotin deficient mice. Although cause-effect studies are still needed, we believe our results support the notion that biotin might modulate the availability of IGF-I.

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Abbreviations

BD:

Biotin deficient

BS:

Biotin sufficient

GH:

Somatotropin or growth hormone

IGF-I:

Insulin-like growth factor I

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Acknowledgments

We thank to Georgina Díaz for providing animal care assistance, to David Garciadiego-Cázares for the histological processing, and to Georgina Del Vecchyo for her encouragement in achieving femur measurements. Authors are also grateful to Dr. David Riddle for helpful criticisms and editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Depto. de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal 70228, Ciudad Universitaria, México, CP, 04510, México

    Armida Báez-Saldaña PhD & Gabriel Gutiérrez-Ospina MD, PhD

  2. Depto. de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, CP, México

    Jesús Chimal-Monroy PhD

  3. Unidad de Genética de la Nutrición, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, CP, México

    Cristina Fernandez-Mejia PhD

  4. Depto. de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, CP, México

    Rafael Saavedra PhD

Authors
  1. Armida Báez-Saldaña PhD
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  2. Gabriel Gutiérrez-Ospina MD, PhD
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  3. Jesús Chimal-Monroy PhD
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  4. Cristina Fernandez-Mejia PhD
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  5. Rafael Saavedra PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Armida Báez-Saldaña PhD.

Additional information

This work was supported by grants from the Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico (DGAPA), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (PAPIIT IN230905, IN200205, IN208605) and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, México (52746, 42568Q).

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Báez-Saldaña, A., Gutiérrez-Ospina, G., Chimal-Monroy, J. et al. Biotin deficiency in mice is associated with decreased serum availability of insulin-like growth factor-I. Eur J Nutr 48, 137–144 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0773-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0773-8

Keywords

  • body growth
  • body size
  • bone growth
  • nutrition
  • vitamins
  • growth hormone