Low bone mineral density in Type 1 diabetic patients: influence of reduced IGF1, IGF1R, and TGFB1 expression

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The negative effect of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) on growth factors of bone metabolism leads to a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between BMD and IGF1, IGF1R and TGFB1 expression in children and adolescents with T1D. Moreover, the influences of age at diagnosis, time since diagnosis, glycemic control, and albuminuria on BMD were investigated.METHODS:Eighty-six T1D children/adolescents (T1D group) and ninety normoglycemic controls (NG group) were included. T1D patients were analyzed altogether, and divided into two groups according to their glycemic profile (T1D with good glycemic control [T1DG group] and T1D with poor glycemic control [T1DP group]). BMD was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Glycemic control, renal function, and bone markers were also assessed. IGF1, IGF1R, and TGFB1 expressions were measured by real-time PCR.RESULTS:Patients with T1D showed low BMD and poor glycemic control. Serum total calcium and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were higher in the T1DP group compared to the T1DG group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.035, respectively). There was a reduction of IGF1, IGF1R, and TGFB1 expression in the T1D and T1DP groups compared to the NG group (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The decreased IGF1, IGF1R, and TGFB1 expression in the T1D and T1DP group of patients, who presented with T1D at an early age, had been diagnosed with T1D for a longer time, had poor glycemic control and albuminuria, may contribute to low BMD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.