['It is unclear how IGFs become separated from their IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in vivo. However, the IGFBPs possess binding sites for glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and interaction with GAGs alters IGFBP ligand affinity. Accordingly, GAGs may control IGF bioavailability. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of GAGs on serum levels of free and bioactive IGF-I, total IGF-I, and IGFBPs in vitro.', 'Serum was incubated with increasing concentrations of six different GAGs (heparin, tinzaparin (Innohep), dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, non-anticoagulant (nac) heparin, and nac low-molecular weight heparin). To investigate for reversibility, heparin was co-incubated with protamine sulfate (PS). Finally, the effect of heparin was studied in serum from pregnant and post partum women, normal subjects and patients with type 1 diabetes.', 'All GAGs increased free IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.0001), whereas total IGF-I and IGFBP levels remained unchanged. However, the potency of the GAGs differed significantly (P<0.0001) and did not relate to their anti-coagulating activity. The effect of heparin on free IGF-I was fully reversed by PS. Heparin increased free and bioactive IGF-I in all tested sera (P<0.0001), but the increase was most pronounced in samples from pregnant women (P<0.0001).'] Do glycosaminoglycans increase levels of free and bioactive IGF-I in vitro?