title: Klotho, a new marker for osteoporosis and muscle strength in β-thalassemia major.
abstract: Aim of this study was to compare plasma levels of the secreted protein Klotho in β-thalassemia major patients and in healthy controls. Also, we examined the existence of correlations between the protein level and osteoporosis, poor muscle strength and fractures. A total of 106 patients with β-thalassemia major and 95 healthy blood donors were enrolled. Klotho level in plasma was measured by mean of an ELISA test and the hand-grip strength using a dynamometer. Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (Vitamin D), serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ferritin, creatinine were measured by standard clinical techniques. DXA was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck and total hip. We found that the Klotho protein concentration was lower in the blood of patients with β-thalassemia major than in healthy controls, and it was directly correlated to the hand-grip strength. In β-thalassemia major patients, the secreted Klotho was lower than in healthy controls. The preliminary investigation into the correlation between markers of osteo- and sarcopenia and Klotho demonstrated a decreased Klotho concentration in β-TM patients and a higher probability of having had fragility fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Italy; Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: alessandro.baldan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldan
authors.affiliation: Bone Clinic, Department of Gerontology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Internal and Cardio-Respiratory Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malaventura
authors.affiliation: Center of Microcitemia and Congenital Anemias, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Musso
authors.affiliation: Center of Microcitemia and Congenital Anemias, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Forni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Internal and Cardio-Respiratory Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Volpato
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Internal and Cardio-Respiratory Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zuliani
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borgna-Pignatti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D000090265:Klotho Proteins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000090265:Klotho Proteins
keywords: Fragility fractures; Hand-grip strength; Klotho; Osteoporosis; β-Thalassemia major