Qun Cheng1, Wenjing Tang2, Tzong-Jen Sheu3, Yanping Du2, Jiemin Gan4, Huilin Li2, Wei Hong2, Xiaoying Zhu2, Sihong Xue2, Xuemei Zhang2. 1. Research Section of Geriatric Metabolic Bone Disease, Shanghai Geriatric Institute, Department of Osteoporosis and Bone Disease, Huadong Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, China; Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, China. Electronic address: quncheng_2014@163.com. 2. Research Section of Geriatric Metabolic Bone Disease, Shanghai Geriatric Institute, Department of Osteoporosis and Bone Disease, Huadong Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, China; Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, China. 3. University of Rochester, School of Medicine, USA. 4. Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, China; Central Laboratory, Huadong Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: TGF-β1 regulates bone metabolism and mediates bone turnover during postmenopause. Sclerostin negatively regulates Wnt signaling pathway and also has an important role in postmenopausal bone loss. Little is known about the relationship between serum TGF-β1 and sclerostin during menopause. METHODS: We compared serum levels of TGF-β1 and sclerostin in pre- and postmenopausal women and assessed the potential correlations of these levels with each other and with serum levels of bone turnover markers and bone mineral density. RESULTS: A total of 176 women (58 premenopausal, 62 early postmenopausal, and 56 late postmenopausal) were included in this study. Serum TGF-β1 level was significantly higher in early postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal (32.0±7.19 vs. 26.55±6.67 ng/ml, p=0.01) and late postmenopausal (32.0±7.19 vs. 28.65±7.70 pg/ml, p=0.031) women, and no significant differences in serum sclerostin levels were observed among the 3 groups. There was a significant negative correlation between TGF-β1 and sclerostin in early postmenopausal women, but not in other groups of women. Based on multiple regression analysis, only TGF-β1 (β=-0.362; p=0.007) was an independent predictor of sclerostin during early postmenopause. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that serum TGF-β1 level increases during postmenopause and declines in old age. Sclerostin production is inhibited by TGF-β1 during early postmenopause.
BACKGROUND: TGF-β1 regulates bone metabolism and mediates bone turnover during postmenopause. Sclerostin negatively regulates Wnt signaling pathway and also has an important role in postmenopausal bone loss. Little is known about the relationship between serum TGF-β1 and sclerostin during menopause. METHODS: We compared serum levels of TGF-β1 and sclerostin in pre- and postmenopausal women and assessed the potential correlations of these levels with each other and with serum levels of bone turnover markers and bone mineral density. RESULTS: A total of 176 women (58 premenopausal, 62 early postmenopausal, and 56 late postmenopausal) were included in this study. Serum TGF-β1 level was significantly higher in early postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal (32.0±7.19 vs. 26.55±6.67 ng/ml, p=0.01) and late postmenopausal (32.0±7.19 vs. 28.65±7.70 pg/ml, p=0.031) women, and no significant differences in serum sclerostin levels were observed among the 3 groups. There was a significant negative correlation between TGF-β1 and sclerostin in early postmenopausal women, but not in other groups of women. Based on multiple regression analysis, only TGF-β1 (β=-0.362; p=0.007) was an independent predictor of sclerostin during early postmenopause. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that serum TGF-β1 level increases during postmenopause and declines in old age. Sclerostin production is inhibited by TGF-β1 during early postmenopause.