Circulating IGFBP-2 levels are incrementally linked to correlates of the metabolic syndrome and independently associated with VLDL triglycerides

- Low IGFBP-2 levels are associated with a deleterious lipid profile.
- Men with IGFBP-2 levels <221.5 ng/mL met the criteria for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome.
- After adjustments for correlates, VLDL-TG was independently associated with IGFBP-2 levels.

Objective: To assess whether plasma IGFBP-2 is independently associated with components of the lipoprotein-lipid profile and to suggest a cutoff value that could identify subjects with the features of the metabolic syndrome. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 379 Caucasian men from the general population and covering a wide range of BMI were recruited through the media. Subjects with type 2 diabetes, BMI values > 40 kg/m2, or taking medication targeting glucose or lipid metabolism or blood pressure were excluded. Anthropometric data were collected and plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations, glucose tolerance and an extensive plasma lipid profile were determined after an overnight fast. Results: Subjects with low IGFBP-2 levels were characterized by increased fat mass (p < 0.0001), impaired insulin sensitivity (p < 0.0001) and higher plasma triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.0001). When divided into 6 quantiles, only subjects with the highest IGFBP-2 levels (>221.5 ng/mL) did not meet the NCEP ATP III criteria for the clinical diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. In addition, circulating IGFBP-2 levels were significantly associated with VLDL-TG (r = −0.51, p < 0.0001) and HDL-C (r = −0.27, p < 0.0001) levels. After adjustments, plasma IGFBP-2 was found to be independently associated with VLDL-TG levels but not with HDL-C concentrations. Conclusions: In our cohort, IGFBP-2 levels <221.5 ng/mL are incrementally associated with a detrimental plasma lipoprotein-lipid profile. After adjustment for covariates, IGFBP-2 remained independently associated with VLDL-TG but not HDL-C levels. This study supports further investigations in other populations and validation of IGFBP-2 as a biomarker of early dyslipidemia.