The role of IGF-1 in obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer

Background: Insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF1) is a polypeptide that structurally is similar to human pro-insulin, one of the factors that is altered in obesity and many related diseases, hence a large body of research devoted to evaluate it. Methods: In this mini-review, we briefly explain the role of IGF1 in different conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer through the results of review and original articles in both animal and human studies. Results: The short-term metabolic effect of IGF-1 is insulin-like, and its long-term effect is growth factor-like. IGF1 has different roles in the initiation and progression of different diseases, because in some cases, the anti-apoptotic effect, can help cell survival while in others, it may lead to cancer or increment of adipocytes. Conclusion: It is highly recommended to consider the different impacts of IGF1 in health and diseases prevention in future studies and interventions