Increased insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations in a population of non-diabetic cats with overweight/obesity

• Published in: Domestic animal endocrinology 2024-10, Vol.89, p.106858, Article 106858
• Main Authors: Miceli, D.D., Jaliquias, A., Gallelli, M.F., García, J.D., Vecino, C., Rey Amunategui, J.P., Pompili, G.A., Espiñeira, I.M., Más, J., Pignataro, O.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acromegaly; Animals; Body condition score; Cat Diseases - blood; Cats; Female; Hypersomatotropism; IGF-1; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - analysis; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Insulin-Like Peptides; Male; Obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - veterinary; Overweight; Overweight - veterinary; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0739-7240; 1879-0054; 1879-0054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2024.106858

•A proportion of 8.75 % of non-diabetic cats with overweight/obesity from referral centers in Buenos Aires (Argentina) had serum IGF-1 concentrations consistent with HST in diabetic cats and phenotypic changes consistent with acromegaly.•A proportion of 5% of overweight/obese cats were likely to be diagnosed with HST, supported by evidence of pituitary enlargement and clinical signs compatible with acromegaly.•Serum IGF-1 concentrations were positively correlated with body weight and BCS in cats with overweight/obesity.•HST should not be suspected only in diabetic cats. Feline hypersomatotropism (HST) is typically associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), whereas HST without concurrent DM has only been reported in a few cases. Weight gain may be observed in cats with HST. The aims of this study were to evaluate circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in non-diabetic cats with overweight/obesity, to screen this population for the presence of HST, and to assess whether there is a correlation between body weight/body condition score (BCS) and serum IGF-1 concentration in overweight/obese cats. In this prospective study, 80 overweight/obese cats from referral centers in Buenos Aires (Argentina) were evaluated. Serum IGF-1 was measured as part of the routine tests for overweight/obesity. Non-diabetic cats were included in the study if they had a BCS>6/9. Twenty-nine cats were classified as overweight (BCS 7/9), whereas 51 were classified as obese (BCS 8-9/9). Median serum IGF-1 concentrations of cats with BCS 7/9, 8/9, and 9/9 were 570 ng/ml (range 123-1456 ng/ml), 634 ng/ml (range 151-1500 ng/ml), and 598 ng/ml (range 284-2450 ng/ml), respectively. There was a positive linear correlation between serum IGF-1 concentrations and body weight (r= 0.24, 95% CI 0.01-0.44 P=0.03), and between IGF-1 and BCS (r= 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.44 P=0.004). In total, 8.75% (95% confidence interval 3.6-17.2%) of the cats with overweight/obesity had IGF-1 concentrations >1000 ng/ml. Pituitary enlargement was detected on computed tomography in 4/7 cases. These seven cats showed varying degrees of phenotypic changes consistent with acromegaly. A proportion of 8.75 % of overweight/obese non-diabetic cats from referral centers in Buenos Aires had serum IGF-1 concentration in a range consistent with HST in diabetic cats. Likewise, 5% of overweight/obese cats were likely to be diagnosed with HST, supported by evidence of pituitary enlargement. Serum IGF-1 concentrations were positive