Serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-4 and IGFBP-5 levels in aging and age-associated diseases

Because impaired bone formation is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of senile (type II) osteoporosis, and because insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have been shown to be important stimulators of bone formation in vitro and in vivo, studies have been focused towards clarifying the role of IGF system in the age-related impairment in bone formation. To evaluate if changes in circulating and bone cell production of IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-4 and IGFBP-5 could contribute to age-related impairment in bone formation, the authors measured serum and skeletal levels of IGFBP-5, and serum levels of IGFBP-4 during aging. Circulating levels of IGFBP-4 increased with age, whereas that of IGFBP-5 declined with age. Serum IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 levels showed significant positive correlations with serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and IGFs, respectively. In addition, skeletal content of IGFBP-5 declined with age. The age-related changes in IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 production could contribute, in part, to the decrease in osteoblast cell proliferation and deficiency in bone formation.