The relationship between the GH/IGF-I axis and serum markers of bone turnover metabolism in healthy children

• Published in: European journal of endocrinology Vol. 157; no. 5; pp. 685 - 692
• Main Authors: Léger, Juliane, Mercat, Isabelle, Alberti, Corinne, Chevenne, Didier, Armoogum, Priscilla, Tichet, Jean, Czernichow, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester BioScientifica 01.11.2007; Portland Press
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Bone Remodeling - physiology; Child; Clinical Studies; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endocrinopathies; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human Growth Hormone - blood; Human Growth Hormone - physiology; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 - blood; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Prospective Studies; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Human; Osteoarticular system; GH-IGF axis; Turnover; Biological marker; Serum; Bone; Metabolism; Child; Endocrinology
• ISSN: 0804-4643; 1479-683X; 1479-683X
• DOI: 10.1530/EJE-07-0402

AbstractContextThere is evidence to suggest that IGF-I plays a role in regulating bone turnover.ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationships between serum concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and bone metabolism markers in healthy children.Design and settingProspective cross-sectional study.Subjects and methodsA cohort of 579 boys and 540 girls, all healthy Caucasian, were included in this study. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and CrossLaps (markers of bone formation and bone resorption respectively) levels were evaluated as a function of age, gender, pubertal stage and body mass index.ResultsSerum IGF-I SDS levels were positively correlated with BAP and CrossLaps SDS levels before and after puberty, and also with CrossLaps during puberty (weak correlation). Serum IGFBP-3 SDS levels were positively correlated with BAP and CrossLaps levels before, during (weak correlation) and after puberty (for BAP levels only).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the independent association between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations with both serum bone formation and resorption markers in healthy children. Physiological differences before, during and after puberty in the association of serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels with the serum bone metabolism markers were found. These differences may be related to differences in interactions between sex steroid hormones and the GH/IGF-I system, bone metabolism and growth during the pubertal transition. Improvements in our understanding of life course determinants of the IGF-I system and bone metabolism are required to shed further light on the role of the GH/IGF-I axis in bone remodelling.