Backgound: Sclerostin (SCL), produced mainly by osteocytes, inhibits the Wnt pathway and bone formation, and may be influenced by skeletal muscle mass.
Objective: To evaluate serum sclerostin levels, body composition and physical function in postmenopausal women (PMW) with T2DM.
Methods: We studied 250 PMW (125 with T2DM and 125 PMW without diabetes) with HbA1c below 10%, estimated GFR above 60 ml/min/1.73m2, and compared body composition analysis by multifrequency-bioelectrical impedance, gait speed (GS) and serum sclerostin with metabolic parameters.
Results: Although there were no differences between cases and controls regarding age and years since menopause (62.9±8.3 vs. 61.8±7.5 years, p=0.11; 14.3 ± 12.1 vs. 12.1±8.2 years, p=0.12, respectively), high circulating SCL and sarcopenia (low GS and fat free mass index) were found in 76% / 89.6% of T2DM vs. 61.6% / 72.8% of controls; p=0.014 and p=0.001, respectively. T2DM had more adiposity than controls: BMI 31.0± 29.5 vs. 29.4±29 kg/m2, p=0.04; WC 102.2±12.8 vs. 95.5±11.6 cm, p<0.001; fat mass 29.3±7.6 vs. 26.7±7.1% body weight, p=0.008; and serum triglycerides 153.8±74 vs. 128.3±50.0 mg/dl, p=0.004.
Conclusion: Serum sclerostin is high in PMW with T2DM, as well as the presence of sarcopenia. Since SCL is also involved in vascular endothelial remodeling and inflammation, adiposopathy may also be related to high SCL in T2DM.
F. Bandeira: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca. Speaker's Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi. C.D. Chaves: None. M. Bandeira Farias: None. L.B. Pimentel: None. L. Farias: None.
