An IGF-I promoter polymorphism modifies the relationships between birth weight and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes at age 36.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether IGF-I promoter polymorphism was associated with birth weight and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and whether the birth weight--risk factor relationship was the same for each genotype.


METHODS
264 subjects (mean age 36 years) had data available on birth weight, IGF-I promoter polymorphism genotype, CVD and T2DM risk factors. Student's t-test and regression analyses were applied to analyse differences in birth weight and differences in the birth weight--risk factors relationship between the genotypes.


RESULTS
Male variant carriers (VCs) of the IGF-I promoter polymorphism had a 0.2 kg lower birth weight than men with the wild type allele (p = 0.009). Of the risk factors for CVD and T2DM, solely LDL concentration was associated with the genotype for the polymorphism. Most birth weight--risk factor relationships were stronger in the VC subjects; among others the birth weight--systolic blood pressure relationship: 1 kg lower birth weight was related to an 8.0 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure


CONCLUSIONS
The polymorphism in the promoter region of the IGF-I gene is related to birth weight in men only, and to LDL concentration only. Furthermore, the genotype for this polymorphism modified the relationships between birth weight and the risk factors, especially for systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
te Velde
Saskia J
SJ
Institute for research in extramural medicine (EMGO), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.tevelde@erasmusmc.nl
van Rossum
Elisabeth F C
EF
Voorhoeve
Paul G
PG
Twisk
Jos W R
JW
Delemarre van de Waal
Henriette A
HA
Stehouwer
Coen D A
CD
van Mechelen
Willem
W
Lamberts
Steven W J
SW
Kemper
Han C G
HC