Association of reduced sclerostin expression with collapse process in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sclerostin is an osteocyte-derived protein that has a potent inhibitory effect on osteoblast activity. The osteocyte apoptosis induced by various causes of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) plays a key role in the promotion of femoral head collapse. But the effect of altering sclerostin level on the collapse of ONFH has not been studied. Our aim was to assess the role of sclerostin level in the collapse of ONFH.
METHODS: Between May 2016 and November 2016, 236 subjects were enrolled in the present study. The patients were classified according to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification. The clinical bone histomorphology, the expression position, and level of sclerostin as well as the plasma sclerostin level were evaluated.
RESULTS: The sclerostin level was significantly lower in the non-traumatic ONFH group than those in the healthy control group (P = 0.002). The sclerostin level was negatively associated with ARCO stages (r = - 0.239, P = 0.009) and significantly lower in the postcollapse group (P = 0.025).
CONCLUSIONS: The reduced expression of sclerostin may play a key role in the collapse process of ONFH and be predictive of the disease progression of ONFH.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Irisin Enhances Osteoblast DifferentiationIn Vitro
- Glucocorticoids suppress Wnt16 expression in osteoblasts in vitro and in vivo
- Interaction between Schwann Cells and Osteoblasts In Vitro
- Administration of cinnamaldehyde promotes osteogenesis in ovariectomized rats and differentiation of osteoblast in vitro
- The Effect of the Major Components of Fructus Cnidii on Osteoblasts In Vitro
- Estrogen depletion alters osteogenic differentiation and matrix production by osteoblasts in vitro
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.