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Circulating Biomarkers Related to Osteocyte and Calcium Homeostasis between Postmenopausal Women with and without Osteoporosis

Chin-Yi Chan, Shaanthana Subramaniam, Norazlina Mohamed, N. Muhammad, F. F. Ramli, S. Ima-Nirwana, K. Chin

Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets, 2021

20 participants · 6 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The currently available bone turnover markers are mostly derived from osteoblasts or osteoclasts. Protein markers derived from osteocytes, the most abundant bone cells that can regulate bone turnover activities by other cells, are less explored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the circulating markers of osteocytes and calcium homeostasis between Malaysian postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis.

METHOD

Postmenopausal women with (n=20) or without osteoporosis (n=20) as determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were randomly drawn from a bone health cohort. Their fasting blood was collected and assayed by a multiplex immunoassay panel.

RESULTS

The results showed that osteoprotegerin and sclerostin levels were significantly lower among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis than the normal control. No significant differences in other markers were observed between the two groups. Sclerostin level correlated positively with spine bone mineral density (BMD), while 25-hydroxyvitamin D correlated negatively with hip BMD in the control group. No significant correlation was observed between other markers with spine or hip BMD.

CONCLUSION

These data provide an insight into the possible roles of osteocyte markers, especially osteoprotegerin and sclerostin in classifying subjects with osteoporosis. However, the lack of association between these markers and BMD indicates that osteoporosis is a complex and multifactorial condition.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 20 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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