High osteoprotegerin serum levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetic males without known coronary artery disease

Abstract

PURPOSES: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, but is produced from vasculature, too. There is recent evidence of increased circulating OPG levels in patients with diabetes as well as in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Up to date, there are no sufficient data about OPG concentrations in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) patients. The aim of our study was to determine the serum OPG levels in males with nT2DM without known concomitant CAD and to investigate the association of OPG with intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries and glucometabolic arameters.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum OPG levels were measured in 31 nT2DM males and 15 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched non-diabetic male subjects. IMT of common carotid arteries was measured by a 7.5-MHz B-mode ultrasonography. OPG was estimated by ELISA (BioMedica) in pmol/L.RESULTS: OPG was significantly higher in nT2DM patients when compared to controls (4.59±0.28 versus 3.20±0.30 pmol/L; p=0.004). In the whole group of subjects, there was a positive correlation of OPG levels with glucose parameters: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (r=0.38; p=0.01), 2-hour post-challenge glucose (r=0.45; p=0.003) and HbA1c (r=0.46; p=0.002). Moreover, OPG correlated significantly with carotid IMT (Pr 0.40; p=0.01).CONCLUSION:  Serum OPG is significantly elevated in nT2DM males without known CAD compared to non-diabetic controls. OPG levels show associations not only with some glucose indices but also with IMT, one of the earliest atherosclerotic markers. Probably, these glucose indices and this vascular parameter are involved in OPG regulation. We could suggest that OPG rises early in the evolution of diabetic disorders. However, further investigations are needed.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2013; 45(3): 65-68