Reduced IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity in human serum correlates with arterial stiffness in a healthy Chinese population

Background: Circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) is associated with metabolic changes in both physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity in serum and arterial stiffness in a healthy Chinese population.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 360 healthy participants aged 37-87 years were recruited from 1500 and were divided into three groups according to serum IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity (Tertile I, 25.437 ng/ml-120.870 ng/ml; Tertile II, 120.871 ng/ml-161.914 ng/ml; Tertile III, 161.915 ng/ml-321.636 ng/ml). Arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). The association between IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity and arterial stiffness was estimated by multiple stepwise regression.

Results: Compared with the other two groups population, the individuals in Tertile I had significantly older age (62.66 ± 13.30 years, P < 0.01), lower level of triglyceride (1.08 ± 0.70 mmol/l, P < 0.01) and E/A (peak velocity of early filling and preak velocity of atrial filling ratio) (0.90 ± 0.33, P < 0.05). IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity was inversely related with baPWV in the total population (r = -0.171, P < 0.01) and in Tertile I (r = -0.275, P < 0.01). After adjusting for age and the other confounders, no association was found between IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity and baPWV in the total population. However, In Tertile I, reduced IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity in serum was an independent risk factor of baPWV acceleration in three different adjustment models: Model 1 (no adjustment, P < 0.01), Model 2 (adjusted for age, P < 0.05), and Model 3 (adjusted for all variables, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity in serum is inversely associated with baPWV in a healthy Chinese population. This association did not change after adjustment for conventional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the subjects with the lowest IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity. Consequently, reduction of IGFBP-2 related immunoreactivity may be a predictor of arterial stiffness. IGFBP-2 seems to be a potential intervention target in early atherosclerosis.