title: Acute effects of glucocorticoids on serum markers of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of oral glucocorticoids in doses used in clinical practice on biochemical indices of the function of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. In 17 adult patients suffering from various medical pathologies requiring systemic steroid therapy that were never before treated with glucocorticoids, glucocorticoid treatment was initiated (mean prednisolone equivalent dose of 23.1 ± 12.7 mg/day, range 10-50). Fasting morning serum concentrations of osteocalcin (OC), amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), type 1 collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (βCTX), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), sclerostin, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured at baseline and on three consecutive days. Significant reductions in serum OC, PINP, OPG, sclerostin, and hsCRP were observed during 96 h of glucocorticoid administration, while serum βCTX showed a significant percentual increase. A significant positive correlation was found between serum concentrations of Dkk-1 and βCTX after 96 h of treatment with glucocorticoids. A significant drop in serum sclerostin, OPG, and OC observed in this study may reflect the rapid glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of osteocytes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Kristyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brabnikova Maresova
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pavelka
authors.forename: Jan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Stepan
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000097:blood; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D015415:Biomarkers; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D024042:Collagen Type I; C501126:DKK1 protein, human; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen; D053245:RANK Ligand; C422903:SOST protein, human; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; C047202:procollagen Type I N-terminal peptide; D015675:Osteocalcin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein