title: Age-dependent association between Dickkopf-1 and calcium-containing urolithiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) level in patients with calcium-containing upper urinary tract stones (Ca-UUTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study retrospectively enrolled 184 patients with Ca-UUTS and 46 age-matched controls. The serum DKK1 level and urine calcium/creatinine ratio were detected in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum DKK1 level in the controls was 321.7 ± 284.1 pg/mL, which was significantly lower than that of the patients with calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (CaOx + CaP), CaOx, and CaP stones (687.8 ± 600.2, 640.5 ± 721.5, and 857.9 ± 913.2 pg/mL, respectively). The mean urine calcium/creatinine ratio, an indicator of hypercalciuria, was higher in the Ca-UUTS patients with CaOx + CaP (0.10 ± 0.06), CaOx (0.13 ± 0.07), and CaP (0.12 ± 0.07) stones than in the controls (0.08 ± 0.04). Statistical significance was noted only in the patients with CaOx (P = .005) and CaP (P = .037) stones. A significant positive association was found between the serum DKK1 level and age in the control group but not in the Ca-UUTS patients. In subjects aged younger than 50 years, the serum DKK1 level in the Ca-UUTS group was significantly higher than in the control group (605.3 ± 514.4 vs 274 ± 229.8 pg/mL, P = .0003). The serum DKK1 level was not associated with stone size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum DKK1, an inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway, was positively associated with the formation of Ca-UUTS, especially in patients aged younger than 50 years.
authors: Department of Urology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Yeong-Chin
authors: YC
authors: Jou
authors: Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Yuh-Shyan
authors: YS
authors: Tsai
authors: Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Hsiao-Yen
authors: HY
authors: Hsieh
authors: Department of Urology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Cheng-Huang
authors: CH
authors: Shen
authors: Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Chiung-Yao
authors: CY
authors: Fang
authors: Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Syue-Yi
authors: SY
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Fu
authors: MF
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Fang-Hung
authors: FH
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Electronic address: cych06390@gmail.com.
authors: Cheng-Da
authors: CD
authors: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000032:analysis*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C501126:DKK1 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; C020243:calcium phosphate