ArticleFrontiers in endocrinology2024
Causal associations between the insulin-like growth factor family and sarcopenia: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.
Article in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effects of protein-based multinutrient therapy on sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2025Pooled it
- Exercise interventions and serum IGF-1 levels in older adults with frailty and/or sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2025Pooled it
- From Athletic Performance to Functional Ageing: Shared Genetic Architecture, Redox-Inflammatory Pathways and Functional Reserve Across the Life Course-A Narrative Review.Biomedicines · 2026Review
- A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Musculoskeletal and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Pituitary Disorders: Frailty and Sarcopenia.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Endothelial IGF- 1R deficiency disrupts microvascular homeostasis, impairing skeletal muscle perfusion and endurance: implications for age-related sarcopenia.GeroScience · 2025Article
- Prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia risk and possible sarcopenia among older homeless adults in a home for destitute, Thailand: A cross-sectional study.Belitung nursing journal · 2025Article
- Analysis of clinical factors and inflammatory cytokines in patients with lung cancer and sarcopenia: a prospective single-center cohort study.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
Objective: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is closely associated with sarcopenia, yet the causal relationship of this association remains unclear. This study aims to explore the potential causal relationship between members of the IGF family and sarcopenia from a genetic perspective through bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using two-sample datasets. Methods: Five genetically predicted factors of the IGF family (IGF-1, IGF-1R, IGF-2R, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-7) as one sample, while four relevant features of sarcopenia (low hand grip strength, appendicular lean mass, whole body fat-free mass, and walking pace) as another sample, in conducting a two-sample MR analysis. Results: The forward MR results of the relationship between IGF and sarcopenia showed that elevated levels of IGF-1 reduced the risk of low hand grip strength (OR = 0.936, 95% CI=0.892-0.983, P = 0.008) and increased appendicular lean mass of the extremities and whole body fat-free mass (OR = 1.125, 95% CI=1.070-1.182,P = 0.000; OR =1.076, 95% CI=1.047-1.106, P=0.000), reduced the risk of sarcopenia. Elevated IGF-1R also favored an increase in whole body fat-free mass (OR=1.023, 95% CI=1.008-1.038, P =0.002), and the appendicular lean mass trait was more pronounced with elevated IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-7 (OR=1.034, 95% CI=1.024-1.044, P =0.000; OR=1.020, 95% CI=1.010-1.030, P=0.000). Inverse MR results of the effect of sarcopenia on IGF showed that decreased hand grip strength may elevate IGF-1 levels (OR=1.243, 95% CI=1.026-1.505,P =0.027), whereas improvements in appendicular lean mass, whole body fat-free mass traits, and increased walking pace decreased IGF-1 levels (OR=0.902, 95% CI: 0.877-0.927, P = 0.000; OR=0.903, 95% CI=0.859-0.949,P = 0.000; OR=0.209, 95% CI=0.051-0.862,P = 0.045). Also decreased hand grip strength may elevate IGF-1R levels (OR=1.454, 95% CI=1.108-1.909, P =0.007), and appendicular lean mass stimulated high expression of IGFBP-1 (OR=1.314, 95% CI=1.003-1.722, P =0.047). Heterogeneity and pleiotropy were not detected in all results, and the results were stable and reliable. Conclusion: There is a bi-directional causal association between IGF family members and the risk of sarcopenia, which provides a more adequate basis for early biological monitoring of sarcopenia and may provide new targets for early intervention and treatment of sarcopenia.
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