A strong neuroprotective effect of the autonomous C-terminal peptide of IGF-1 Ec (MGF) in brain ischemia

This study investigated whether the C-terminal peptide of MGF (E domain of IGF-1Ec) possesses neuroprotective activity independent of mature IGF-1. The researchers used both in vitro models (hippocampal neuron cultures subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation) and in vivo models (transient brain ischemia in gerbils by bilateral carotid artery occlusion), administering synthetic MGF peptide intracerebroventricularly.

The results demonstrated a strong autonomous neuroprotective effect of the MGF peptide, both in vitro and in vivo. In the animal model, MGF treatment provided significant protection to vulnerable neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region — the area most susceptible to ischemic brain damage. Histological analyses confirmed substantial neuronal preservation in treated animals versus controls.

A fundamental finding of this study, published in the FASEB Journal, was the demonstration that the E domain of MGF functions as an independent biologically active entity, not requiring mature IGF-1 to exert its effects. This significantly expanded the understanding of MGF mechanisms and suggested that E domain-derived peptides could be developed as neuroprotective agents for stroke and other cerebral ischemic conditions.