Association of serum IGF1 with endothelial function: results from the population-based study of health in Pomerania

Abstract

Objective: IGF1 mediates multiple physiological and pathophysiological responses in the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between serum IGF1 as well as IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) levels and endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Design: Cross-sectional population-based observational study. Methods: The study population comprised 1482 subjects (736 women) aged 25-85 years from the Study of Health in Pomerania. Serum IGF1 and IGFBP3 levels were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassays. FMD measurements were performed using standardized ultrasound techniques. FMD values below the sex-specific median were considered low. Results: In males, logistic regression analyses revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.51; PZ0.008) for decreased FMD for each decrement of IGF1 S.D. after adjustment for major cardiovascular confounders. In females, no significant relationship between serum IGF1 and FMD was found (OR 0.88, CI 0.74-1.05; PZ0.147). After exclusion of subjects with the current use of antihypertensive medication, these findings were similar (males: OR 1.40, CI 1.12-1.75; PZ0.003; females: OR 0.95, CI 0.77-1.16; PZ0.595). There was no association between serum IGFBP3 levels and FMD in both sexes. Conclusions: Low serum IGF1 levels are associated with impaired endothelial function in males. In women, serum IGF1 is not associated with endothelial function.

Endothelial cells and the IGF system

“…Additionally, GH-induced augmentation of IGF1 increased systemic NO bioavailability and the number of EPCs in healthy humans (Thum et al 2007b). This is supported in part by a population study demonstrating that flow-mediated dilation, a measure of endothelial function, correlated with serum IGF1 levels in adult men but not women (Empen et al 2010). IGF1 infusion increased the number of circulating EPCs and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the Apoe-null mouse model of atherosclerosis (Sukhanov et al 2007).…”

Effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 in preventing acute coronary syndromes: The PRIME study

“…EPCs decline with age and a possible effect of IGF-1 would be to restore EPC number and functions, thus contributing to maintain endothelium integrity [28]. A recent population-based study has demonstrated that low IGF-1 was associated with impaired endothelial function in males [29]. On the other hand, different studies have established that HDL promotes endothelial cell proliferation and survival, and nitric oxide biosynthesis [23,30].…”

Sleep and Insulin-Like Growth Factors in the Cardiovascular Health Study

“…[2][3][4] While it is known that sleep and sleep disordered breathing may affect the GH/IGF factor axis, [5][6][7] there are few relevant population studies in this area. Prior studies have shown there to be an inverse relationship between the severity of sleep disordered breathing (as measured by the apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]) and IGF-I, and that this relationship appears to be independent of BMI and age.…”