Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are proteins that regulate the activity and differentiation of stem cells responsible for making connective tissues. FGFs are also active in other cells, including those involved in embryonic development and repair of injuries. Some types of FGFs are being tested for potential treatments for health conditions such as autism and coronary artery disease. Bovine colostrum supplements contain FGFs, but their potential benefits have not been evaluated by the US FDA.
Fibroblasts are a type of stem cell responsible for making connective tissues. A fibroblast growth factor is a special type of protein that was first discovered to influence the activity and differentiation of fibroblasts. It has since been discovered that these same regulatory proteins can be found acting on other cells as well. Various types of fibroblast growth factors are instrumental during embryonic development but are also active in the adult. These growth factors may be helpful in treating certain disorders such as autism. Bovine colostrum supplements contain some amount of fibroblast growth factor, but the potential benefits have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Activities for which the fibroblast growth factor family was first named include stimulating fibroblasts to go through mitosis, thereby replicating more frequently and causing fibroblasts to differentiate into specific mature cell types. Mature cells excrete substances used to build the extracellular matrix such as collagen, glycoproteins and different types of fibers. When an injury occurs, fibroblast growth factors are responsible for signaling fibroblasts to migrate to the area, replicating at a faster rate and secreting the substances and fibers needed to repair the damage.
However, the activities attributed to each type of fibroblast growth factor have greatly expanded. They are now known to have a similar influence on many other cells, including the following: endothelial cells, which form the lining of the circulatory system; chondrocytes, which build cartilage; and smooth muscle cells, which make up the walls of many internal organs. It is known that fibroblast growth factors also have other functions than stimulating mitosis and differentiation, such as prolonging the life of individual neurons and inducing the migration of astrocytes, i.e. star-shaped cells in the central nervous system.
Several types of fibroblast growth factors are being tested as potential treatments for health conditions. A growth factor has been studied for use in autism and may be beneficial in schizophrenia because it induces mitosis in brain cortical cells. Another is being tested in healing the damage caused by coronary artery disease due to its influence on endothelial cells. A third fibroblast growth factor is used in experiments on possible causes of estrogen-dependent breast cancers that develop resistance to anti-estrogen treatments. In scientific evaluations of fibroblast growth factors, they are given by injection; it is unclear whether they would have much benefit when taken orally in bovine colostrum beyond strengthening and healing the lining of the digestive tract.
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