title: Serum Sema3A is in a weak positive association with bone formation marker osteocalcin but not related to bone mineral densities in postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The chemorepellent semaphorin-3A (Sema3A) was shown to favor bone metabolism in mice, but its bone effects in humans are not described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between serum Sema3A, bone biochemical markers, and bone mineral densities (BMDs) in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study involving 1012 pre- and postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fasting serum Sema3A, osteocalcin (Ocn), and cross-linked C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen were measured. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to determine the BMDs at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. History of osteoporotic fractures was reported by the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In postmenopausal women (n = 860), a significant positive association between Sema3A and Ocn levels was demonstrated (r = 0.077, P = 0.025) when age was adjusted. The serum Ocn level was significantly higher in the fourth quartile of serum Sema3A as compared with the first quartile (21.09 ± 0.56 ng/mL vs 19.45 ± 0.44 ng/mL, P = .018). Serum Sema3A concentrations were similar in subjects with normal BMD, osteopenia or osteoporosis, and those with and without osteoporotic fractures. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that cross-linked C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, body mass index, creatinine, Sema3A, L1-4 BMDs, and age were determinants of Ocn (adjusted R(2) for the model = 0.532, P < .001) .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The positive correlation between Sema3A and bone formation marker Ocn revealed in this human study partly supports the recently findings in mice studies. However, the general effects of Sema3A on bone metabolism are weak and not clear as evidenced by lack of association between this parameter and BMDs and osteoporotic fractures.
authors: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Rui-jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Rui-jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 200025.
authors: Dong-mei
authors: DM
authors: Liu
authors: Nan
authors: N
authors: Lu
authors: Lin
authors: L
authors: Zhao
authors: Min-jia
authors: MJ
authors: Zhang
authors: Bei
authors: B
authors: Tao
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Xuan
authors: Li-hao
authors: LH
authors: Sun
authors: Hong-yan
authors: HY
authors: Zhao
authors: Wei-qing
authors: WQ
authors: Wang
authors: Jian-min
authors: JM
authors: Liu
authors: Guang
authors: G
authors: Ning
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D040121:Semaphorin-3A / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D040121:Semaphorin-3A; D015675:Osteocalcin; D003404:Creatinine