IGF-I concentrations are positively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in women.
BACKGROUND
Alterations in the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but previous studies have yielded conflicting results. In addition, the T1169A polymorphism in the GH1 gene has been associated with IGF-I levels.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether IGF-I concentrations and the T1169A polymorphism of the GH1 gene are associated with cardiovascular risk factors and the intima media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery.


METHODS
Fasting plasma IGF-I concentrations (n=1008) were measured in a large population-based OPERA (Oulu Project Elucidating Risk of Atherosclerosis) cohort. Genotype variants were determined by the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.


RESULTS
Low IGF-I concentrations associated with several cardiovascular risk factors including age, adiposity, and high triglyceride, fasting insulin and C-reactive protein concentrations in the analysis of all subjects. In the multivariate models, however, IGF-I concentrations were positively associated with the mean IMT of women (ss=0.127, P=0.009) whereas the association in men was weaker and negative (ss=-0.088, P=0.034). The 1169A allele was associated with low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both sexes and with low systolic blood pressure levels in women.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF-I concentrations were associated with several traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The observed gender difference in the association between IGF-I concentrations and carotid artery atherosclerosis warrants further study. The GH1 1169A allele may be associated with a favourable metabolic profile.
Hietaniemi
Mirella
M
Department of Internal Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Finland.
Pöykkö
Seppo M
SM
Ukkola
Olavi
O
Päivänsalo
Markku
M
Antero Kesäniemi
Y
Y
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology
D006133:Growth Substances; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I