Revisiting the Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1

Abstract

Abstract-Conflicting evidence exists on the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). We reviewed available articles and pooled extrapolated regression coefficients for the association between BP and total IGF-1 as reported in the literature and included additional data from 912 individuals from the general population. We identified 20 studies including 11 704 subjects. We also measured total IGF-1, insulin-like binding protein-3, and BP in 912 black and white men and women from South Africa (aged 20-70 years). When plotting positive and negative weighed regression coefficients (29 data points) against IGF-1, we found a significant positive relationship (r=0.31; P<0.001; n=11 704) intercepting the 0 point at 191 ng/mL IGF-1, suggesting an inverse BP/IGF-1 relationship in low IGF-1 conditions, and a positive relationship in overtly high IGF-1 conditions. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the relationship between BP and IGF-1 is dependent on, or related to, IGF-1 concentrations, as an expression of direct or reverse causality. Low IGF-1 bioavailability (associated with aging and vascular deterioration), resistance to IGF-1, and the complex interplay between IGF-1 and other vasoactive hormones could mask the vasoprotective functions of IGF-1 in cross-sectional studies or could modify their functions in prospective studies.

IGF‐1 and NT‐proBNP in a black and white population: The SABPA study

“…We have shown that low IGF-1 associates with a marker of endothelial damage [17] and higher ambulatory blood pressure [18] in a hypertension-prone black population. Black populations from South Africa have lower IGF-1 and higher blood pressure than whites [17,19,20] and are also more prone to develop hypertensive heart disease [21].…”

Role of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with acromegaly

“…Schutte et al [12] recently pooled 20 studies including 11 704 patients and found an association between IGF-1 levels and BP in the general population, not only in acromegalic patients. They also found a positive association between high levels of IGF-1 and BP.…”

“…However, the relationship between BP levels and IGF-1 is more obscure than with GH levels. Recently, this association was reported as positive when IGF-1 levels were higher than the cutoff values, and there was an inverse association when IGF-1 levels were in the normal values, suggesting that the relationship between BP and IGF-1 depends on or is related to IGF-1 concentrations [12].…”

The relation between insulin‐like growth factor 1 levels and risk of depression in ischemic stroke

“…IGF‐1 reduces the progression of atherosclerosis, and in cross‐sectional studies, low circulating IGF‐1 is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke . In humans, low levels of IGF‐1 are associated with stroke risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease . Previous studies regarding stroke patients have suggested that low IGF‐1 levels in the circulation are related with higher stroke severity, poor outcome, and less rates of survival after stroke .…”