title: Sclerostin and its association with physical activity, age, gender, body composition, and bone mineral content in healthy adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sclerostin is produced by osteocytes and inhibits bone formation through the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway. Only limited data are available on circulating sclerostin levels in healthy subjects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the correlation between sclerostin and physical activity, anthropometric, and biochemical variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in 161 healthy adult men and premenopausal women aged 19 to 64 yr (mean age, 44 ± 10).
  
  
  METHODS
  There were no interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum sclerostin levels were associated with body composition, bone mineral density, physical activity, and various biochemical parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive correlation between age and sclerostin in both men (r = 0.37; P < 0.001) and premenopausal women (r = 0.66; P < 0.001) was found. Men had significantly higher sclerostin levels than women (49.8 ± 17.6 vs. 37.2 ± 15.2 pmol/liter; P < 0.001). However, after adjustment for age, bone mineral content (BMC), physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and renal function, sclerostin levels did not differ (P = 0.543). Partial correlation analysis adjusted for age, gender, and kidney function revealed a significant positive correlation between sclerostin levels and BMC, bone mineral density, BMI, and android/gynoid fat and a significant negative correlation with serum osteocalcin and calcium. The most physically active quartile had significantly lower sclerostin levels compared to the least active quartile in a univariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In healthy adults, sclerostin serum levels correlate positively with age, BMI, and BMC and negatively with osteocalcin and calcium. Further studies in larger populations are needed to confirm our findings and to better understand their clinical implications.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, A-8036 Graz, Austria. karin.amrein@medunigraz.at
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Amrein
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Amrein
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Drexler
authors: Hans Peter
authors: HP
authors: Dimai
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Dobnig
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Pfeifer
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Tomaschitz
authors: Thomas R
authors: TR
authors: Pieber
authors: Astrid
authors: A
authors: Fahrleitner-Pammer
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; C422903:SOST protein, human; D015675:Osteocalcin; D002118:Calcium