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Cross-sectional and longitudinal relation of IGF1 and IGF-binding protein 3 with lipid metabolism
Marie-Luise Eggert1, Henri Wallaschofski2, Anne Grotevendt1
1Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory MedicineUniversity Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße NK, D-17475 Greifswald, GermanyDZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research)Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, GermanyInstitute for Community MedicineDepartment of Prosthetic DentistryGerodontology and Biomaterials, Center of Oral Health, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Background:
Previous intervention studies in patients with GH disorders suggested an impact of IGF1 and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) on lipid metabolism, whereas population-based studies revealed conflicting results. Therefore, we aimed to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between IGF1 or IGFBP3 serum levels and lipids (total, LDL, or HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) in a large-scale study.
Methods:
Data of 2935 subjects (1356 women) from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were used. ANOVA, quantile regression, and logistic regression models adjusted for age, waist circumference, physical activity, and alcohol consumption were performed.
Results:
In cross-sectional analyses, we detected that IGF1 and IGFBP3 levels were positively related to total and LDL cholesterol and inversely related to HDL cholesterol in both sexes. Furthermore, IGFBP3 levels showed a positive relationship to triglycerides. In total, IGFBP3 levels were more strongly associated to lipids than IGF1. In longitudinal analysis, we found no influence of baseline IGF1 or IGFBP3 serum concentration on incidentally elevated or reduced lipid levels. However, the positive relationship between IGFBP3 and incidentally elevated triglycerides barely missed statistical significance in women.
Conclusion:
The present study showed strong cross-sectional associations between IGF1 or IGFBP3 and lipids, whereas no longitudinal relationships were revealed. Therefore, our findings suggest IGF1 and IGFBP3 as a risk marker rather than a risk factor for alterations in lipid metabolism. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association between the GH/IGF axis and lipid metabolism.
