Effects of Copper on Proliferation and Autocrine Secretion of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in Chondrocytes from Newborn Pigs In Vitro

Chondrocytes from the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur taken from 1-day-old piglets were cultured in medium supplemented with 0, 7.8, 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels in culture medium were determined by radioimmunoassay. DNA synthesis in chondrocytes was measured by tritiated thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation. Proliferation-promoting activity and...