IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 as Possible Predictors of Response to Lifestyle Intervention—Results from Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Lifestyle interventions can prevent type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, some individuals do not experience anticipated improvements despite weight loss. Biomarkers to identify such individuals at early stages are lacking. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF- 1) and Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP-1) were shown to predict T2DM onset in prediabetes. We assessed whether these markers also predict the success of lifestyle interventions, thereby possibly guiding personalized strategies. We analyzed the fasting serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) in relation to changes in metabolic and anthropometric parameters, including intrahepatic lipids (IHLs) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume, measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in 345 participants with a high risk for prediabetes (54% female; aged 36–80 years). Participants were enrolled in three randomized dietary intervention trials and assessed both at baseline and one year post-intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 28), and significance was set at p < 0.05. Within the 1-year intervention, overall significant improvements were observed. Stratifying individuals by baseline IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 percentiles revealed significant differences: higher IGF-1 levels were associated with more favorable changes compared to lower levels, especially in VAT and IHL. Lower baseline IGFBP-1 levels were associated with greater improvements, especially in IHL and 2 h glucose. Higher bioactive IGF-1 levels might predict better metabolic outcomes following lifestyle interventions in prediabetes, potentially serving as biomarkers for personalized interventions.

Keywords

• IGF axis
• lifestyle intervention
• intervention response
• prediabetes