Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are peptide hormones that have significant structural homology with insulin. IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), in particular IGFBP-1, are important determinants of IGF activity such as enhancing peripheral glucose uptake, decreasing hepatic glucose output and modifying lipid metabolism. Herein factors which alter IGFBP-1 and the utility of measuring IGFBP-1 are considered as the role of IGFBP-1 is explored within the context of insulin resistance and the development of cardiovascular disease. © SAGE Publications 2012.