Association of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 with estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients often suffer from kidney damage, which is more serious than in ordinary people. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system has synergistic effects with other hormonal axes and has an essential role in glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes. The study aimed to observe the association of IGF-1 and IGF factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We recruited 521 patients with type 2 diabetes from the Endocrinology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from March 1, 2021, to December 20, 2021. The clinical data we collected were analyzed to determine the association of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 with eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes. Spearman correlation analysis showed that eGFR was positively correlated with IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in all subjects (P = 0.044 and P = 0.004, respectively). We developed a linear regression model. In the multiple linear regression model, serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were positively correlated with eGFR (β = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01 – 0.06; P = 0.009 and β = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.09 – 2.49; P = 0.035). The results of the correlations were further validated. This preliminary study demonstrated positive associations of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels with eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes.