title: Correlates of bone microarchitectural parameters and serum sclerostin levels in men: the STRAMBO study.
abstract: Sclerostin is predominantly expressed by osteocytes. Serum sclerostin levels are positively correlated with areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone microarchitecture assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in small studies. We assessed the relation of serum sclerostin levels with aBMD and microarchitectural parameters based on HR-pQCT in 1134 men aged 20 to 87 years using multivariable models adjusted for confounders (age, body size, lifestyle, comorbidities, hormones regulating bone metabolism, muscle mass and strength). The apparent age-related increase in serum sclerostin levels was faster before the age of 63 years than afterward (0.43 SD versus 0.20 SD per decade). In 446 men aged ≤63 years, aBMD (spine, hip, whole body), trabecular volumetric BMD (Tb.vBMD), and trabecular number (Tb.N) at the distal radius and tibia were higher in the highest sclerostin quartile versus the three lower quartiles combined. After adjustment for aBMD, men in the highest sclerostin quartile had higher Tb.vBMD (mainly in the central compartment) and Tb.N at both skeletal sites (p < 0.05 to 0.001). In 688 men aged >63 years, aBMD was positively associated with serum sclerostin levels at all skeletal sites. Cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD) and cortical thickness (Ct.Th) were lower in the first sclerostin quartile versus the three higher quartiles combined. Tb.vBMD increased across the sclerostin quartiles, and was associated with lower Tb.N and more heterogeneous trabecular distribution (higher Tb.Sp.SD) in men in the lowest sclerostin quartile. After adjustment for aBMD, men in the lowest sclerostin quartile had lower Tb.vBMD and Tb.N, but higher Tb.Sp.SD (p < 0.05 to 0.001) at both the skeletal sites. In conclusion, serum sclerostin levels in men are strongly positively associated with better bone microarchitectural parameters, mainly trabecular architecture, regardless of the potential confounders.
authors: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM; National Institute of Health and Medical Research UMR 1033, University of Lyon, Lyon, France. pawel.szulc@inserm.fr
authors: Pawel
authors: P
authors: Szulc
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Boutroy
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Vilayphiou
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Schoppet
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Rauner
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Chapurlat
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Hamann
authors: Lorenz C
authors: LC
authors: Hofbauer
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; C422903:SOST protein, human
keywords: BONE MICROARCHITECTURE; MEN; SCLEROSTIN; TRABECULAR BONE