Circulating IGF-1 Independently Predicts Blood Pressure in Children With Higher Calcium-Phosphorus Product Levels

Objective: To study the association between insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and blood pressure in children, in particular, the potential interaction with the serum calcium-phosphorus product (Ca*P). Methods: A longitudinal study included 521 children (age 8.8 +/- 0.1) from northeastern Spain, of whom 158 were followed-up after 5 years. IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and serum calcium and phosphorus were measured at baseline. Anthropometric (body-mass index [BMI] and waist) and cardiometabolic variables (systolic [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure), pulse pressure, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol, and triglycerides) were assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlations followed by multivariable linear regression analyses. Results: Baseline IGF-1 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio positively correlated with baseline and follow-up BMI, waist, SBP, pulse pressure, insulin, HOMA-IR and triglycerides (r 0.138-0.603; all P < 0.05). The associations with SBP were stronger with increasing Ca*P (r 0.261-0.625 for IGF-1; and r 0.174-0.583 for IGF-1/IGFBP-3). After adjusting for confounding variables, baseline IGF-1 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 remained independently associated with both baseline and follow-up SBP in children in the highest Ca*P tertile (beta = 0.245-0.381; P < 0.01; model R-2 = 0.246-0.566). Conclusions: Our results suggest that IGF-1 in childhood is an independent predictor of SBP in apparently healthy children, especially in those with high Ca*P levels.