somatomedin

[ suh-mat-uh-meed-n, soh-muh-tuh- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of various liver hormones that enhance the activity of a variety of other hormones, as somatotropin.

somatomedin

/ ˌsəʊmətəˈmiːdɪn /

noun

1. a protein hormone that promotes tissue growth under the influence of growth hormone

somatomedin

/ sō-măt′ə-mēd′n,sō′mə-tə- /

1. Any of several peptides that are synthesized in the liver and other tissues and are capable of stimulating growth processes, especially in bone, cartilage, and muscle. Somatomedins are secreted and activated in response to growth hormone . Somatomedin levels rise progressively during childhood, peak at puberty, and then stabilize at lower levels in adulthood. Somatomedins influence calcium, phosphate, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism and have also been associated with the growth of certain cancers.
2. Also called insulinlike growth factor

Word History and Origins

Origin of somatomedin¹

1970–75; somato- or somato(tropin) + -med-, as in intermediary + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of somatomedin¹

C20: from somato- + Latin medius middle + -in