somatomedin
[ suh-mat-uh-meed-n, soh-muh-tuh- ]
/ səˌmæt əˈmid n, ˌsoʊ mə tə- /
noun Biochemistry.
any of various liver hormones that enhance the activity of a variety of other hormones, as somatotropin.
Origin of somatomedin
Words nearby somatomedin
British Dictionary definitions for somatomedin
somatomedin
/ (ˌsəʊmətəˈmiːdɪn) /
noun
a protein hormone that promotes tissue growth under the influence of growth hormone
Word Origin for somatomedin
C20: from
somato- + Latin
medius middle +
-in
Medical definitions for somatomedin
somatomedin
[ sō-măt′ə-mēd′n, sō′mə-tə- ]
n.
A peptide synthesized in the liver, capable of stimulating certain anabolic processes in bone and cartilage, and whose secretion and biological activity are dependent on somatotropin.
insulinlike growth factor
Scientific definitions for somatomedin
somatomedin
[ sō-măt′ə-mēd′n, sō′mə-tə- ]
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. Also called insulinlike growth factor