Associations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 with Aging and the Development of Age-Associated Diseases

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process that impacts various systems of the body with changes occurring at molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. One of the key elements in the study of aging is determination of the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and insulin-like binding proteins (IGFBP). IGF, in particular IGF-1, are crucial for the regulation of cell growth, metabolism, and apoptosis. IGFBP, in particular IGFBP-3, modulate the bioavailability of IGFs by binding to them and influencing their receptor interactions. This work outlines the mechanisms of action of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 and discusses clinical research findings on their significance in aging, longevity, and the development of age-associated diseases. To investigate the relationship between IGF and IGFBP and aging processes, a search is conducted in the Scopus and PubMed article databases. Basic and clinical studies published primarily between 2010 and 2024 are selected. The search utilized keywords such as “insulin-like growth factors,” “insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins,” “aging,” and “age-associated diseases.”