Type 1 collagen marker of bone turnover, insulin-like growth factor, and leptin in dichorionic twins with discordant birth weight

Objective: We investigated the relationship between IGF-I-IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and leptin levels with type 1 collagen markers of bone turnover in dichorionic twins with or without discordant birth weight of 20% or greater. Methods: Maternal and cord bloods were collected from gestational age-matched dichorionic twins with (n = 16) or without (n = 16) discordant birth weight. The samples were assayed for cross-linked carboxyl terminal telopeptide (ICTP, a marker of bone resorption) and propeptide (PICP, a marker of bone formation) of type I collagen, leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-1 by RIA. Results: The intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) twins of the discordant group had higher fetal ICTP (P < 0.001) and IGFBP-1 (P < 0.001) levels, whereas PICP (P < 0.001), IGF-I (P < 0.001), and leptin (P < 0.001) were lower than the cotwins with normal weight (AGA). In contrast, concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-1, ICTP, PICP, and leptin were comparable between concordant twin pairs. Leptin levels were positively correlated with PICP (r = 0.61; P < 0.001) and negatively with ICTP (r = -0.57; P < 0.001) in concordant and AGA twins but not in IUGR twins. In IUGR twins, IGF-I had positive association with PICP (r = 0.76; P < 0.001) and negative association with ICTP (r = -0.76; P < 0.001), whereas IGFBP-1 was negatively correlated with PICP levels (r = -0.65; P < 0.01). No such association was found in concordant and AGA twins. Conclusion: These data suggest that IUGR twins had high bone turnover, which is independent of maternal factors and perhaps may be due to altered IGF axis.