A significant increase in kidneyIGFBP-1/2, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-4 proteins was seen after 48 daysof diabetes.Apositive correlations was found between renal growthand insulin/glucose ratio (r = .57), kidney IGF-I (r = .57), IGFBP-1mRNA(r = .43), IGFBP-1/2 (r = .41), and IGFBP-4 levels (r = .40).These results demonstrate hyperfiltration within 3 days of diabetesand a similar response in the IGF-I system in mildly and severely hypoinsulinemicrats; however, renomegaly develops slower in mildly diabetic rats at least partly due to delayed changes in the renal IGFand IGF BPs. This evidence concerns the gene IGF1 and diabetes mellitus.