Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in children and adolescents with type1 diabetes mellitus and its relationship with serum zinc

Abstract

Background: Some studies have indicated impaired metabolism of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and zinc in type-1 diabetic patients. However, no results have been reported to date on the relationship between IGF-1 and serum zinc levels in children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the objectives of this cross-sectional study were to compare IGF-1 levels in type-1 diabetic children and adolescents with that of healthy controls, and also to determine whether there is a relationship between IGF-1 and serum zinc levels.
Methods: Thirty children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Serum IGF-1, serum zinc, fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A_1C (HbA_1C) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, enzymatic colorimetry and ion-exchange chromatography methods, respectively.
Results: The mean level of serum IGF-1 (ng/l) in the diabetics was significantly lower than in the controls (208.2 ± 15.7 and 317.0 ± 33.2, respectively; p=0.001). No relationship was found between the IGF-1 levels and serum zinc or the amount of glycemic control.
Conclusion: IGF-1 levels of the diabetic children and adolescents were significantly lower compared to those of healthy controls and were independent of serum zinc levels and the amount of glycemic control.