Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and facial ageing: high levels associate with reduced skin wrinkling in a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is a growth factor that can influence fibroblast functioning, with effects including the inhibition of collagenases and the induction of collagen expression.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether serum IGF-1, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)3 and the ratio between IGF-1 and IGFBP3, as a measure of IGF-1 bioavailability, are associated with facial ageing and skin wrinkling.


METHODS
From a random sample comprising 617 subjects from the Leiden Longevity Study, perceived age and skin wrinkling were assessed from facial photographs, and IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were measured in serum. The associations were assessed using linear regression models, adjusted for chronological age, sex, body mass index, smoking and sun exposure.


RESULTS
Across tertiles of the ratio of IGF-1 to IGFBP3, and after adjusting for all potential confounding factors, the mean perceived age decreased from 60·6 years in the lowest tertile to 59·5 years in the highest (P = 0·045). Similarly, the mean skin wrinkling grade decreased from 4·8 in the lowest tertile to 4·5 in the highest (P = 0·011). Adding skin wrinkling as a covariate in the analysis between IGF-1 and perceived age diminished this association.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that a higher ratio of IGF-1 to IGFBP3 associates with a lower perceived age, via its association with reduced skin wrinkling. Whether high IGF-1 levels actually delay the accumulation of skin wrinkling now needs investigating.
Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Unilever Discover, Colworth, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK.
R
R
Noordam
D A
DA
Gunn
C C
CC
Tomlin
A B
AB
Maier
T
T
Griffiths
S D
SD
Catt
S
S
Ogden
P E
PE
Slagboom
R G J
RG
Westendorp
C E M
CE
Griffiths
D
D
van Heemst
A J M
AJ
de Craen
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D005145:Face / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D013472:Sunlight
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I