Circulating IGFBP-2 levels are incrementally linked to correlates of the metabolic syndrome and independently associated with VLDL triglycerides

Atherosclerosis. 2014 Dec;237(2):645-51. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.09.022. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether plasma IGFBP-2 is independently associated with components of the lipoprotein-lipid profile and to suggest a cutoff value that could identify subjects with the features of the metabolic syndrome.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 379 Caucasian men from the general population and covering a wide range of BMI were recruited through the media. Subjects with type 2 diabetes, BMI values > 40 kg/m(2), or taking medication targeting glucose or lipid metabolism or blood pressure were excluded. Anthropometric data were collected and plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations, glucose tolerance and an extensive plasma lipid profile were determined after an overnight fast.

Results: Subjects with low IGFBP-2 levels were characterized by increased fat mass (p < 0.0001), impaired insulin sensitivity (p < 0.0001) and higher plasma triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.0001). When divided into 6 quantiles, only subjects with the highest IGFBP-2 levels (>221.5 ng/mL) did not meet the NCEP ATP III criteria for the clinical diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. In addition, circulating IGFBP-2 levels were significantly associated with VLDL-TG (r = -0.51, p < 0.0001) and HDL-C (r = -0.27, p < 0.0001) levels. After adjustments, plasma IGFBP-2 was found to be independently associated with VLDL-TG levels but not with HDL-C concentrations.

Conclusions: In our cohort, IGFBP-2 levels <221.5 ng/mL are incrementally associated with a detrimental plasma lipoprotein-lipid profile. After adjustment for covariates, IGFBP-2 remained independently associated with VLDL-TG but not HDL-C levels. This study supports further investigations in other populations and validation of IGFBP-2 as a biomarker of early dyslipidemia.

Keywords: Dyslipidemia; HDL; Human; IGFBP-2; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; VLDL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / blood*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL / blood*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Triglycerides / blood*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • IGFBP2 protein, human
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL
  • Triglycerides