The growth hormone hypothesis - 2005 revision

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) have been suggested to play a leading role in the development of diabetic retinopathy for more than three decades [1]. At the time of writing, there is a substantial amount of experimental data supporting a role of GH and IGF-I in the development of diabetic retinopathy, whereas clinical trials have yielded variable results. However, both hormones, with IGF-I as the ringleader, remain under suspicion as pathogenic agents. This mini-review will discuss the current literature on the possible involvement of GH and IGF-I in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Hopefully, the reader will agree that although the indictment against GH and IGF-I has celebrated its 34(th) anniversary, it is still attractive from a scientific point of view.