Central and opposing effects of IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 on systemic insulin action

IGF-I is recognized as an insulin sensitizer at the liver and muscle, while recent evidence suggests that IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 acts as an insulin antagonist. As there is a paucity of IGF-I receptors in the liver and as the IGF-IGFBP system in the central nervous system is emerging as physiologically relevant, we examined whether the effects of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 on insulin action are mediated through central mechanisms. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of IGF-I during the insulin clamp (3 mU . kg(-1) . min(-1)) resulted in significant improvement in hepatic insulin action (50%, P < 0.05). In contrast, ICV infusion of IGFBP-3 significantly impaired insulin action at the liver (45% increase in hepatic glucose production, P < 0.01). While IGF-I marginally increased peripheral glucose uptake, IGFBP-3 significantly decreased peripheral glucose uptake (similar to 30%, P < 0.01). As the nuclear localization signal mutant IGFBP-3, which has a normal affinity to IGFs but binds other IGFBP-3 partners poorly and fails to normally internalize, has reduced central activity on metabolism, we conclude that the effects of IGFBP-3 on the hypothalamus involve activity mediated by interfacing with other molecules in addition to IGFs. Marked, opposing, and independent physiological effects of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 through central mechanisms may have implications on potential strategies in specific modulation of peripheral insulin action.