Serum Dickkopf-1 Level in Postmenopausal Females: Correlation with Bone Mineral Density and Serum Biochemical Markers

Abstract

Objective. To assess serum level of Dickkopf-1 in postmenopausal females and its correlation with bone mineral density and serum biochemical markers. Methods. Bone densitometry, serum Dickkopf-1, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were done in sixty postmenopausal females. Patients were divided according to T score into osteoporosis (group I), osteopenia (group II), and normal bone mineral density that served as controls. Results. There was highly significant increase in serum Dickkopf-1 levels in postmenopausal females with abnormal T score versus controls (P < 0.001). Serum DKK-1 levels correlated negatively with both lumbar T score (r = −0.69, P < 0.001) and femur T score (r = −0.64, P < 0.001) and correlated positively with duration of menopause (r = 0.61, P < 0.001), while there was no significant correlation between serum levels of either calcium, phosphorus or alkaline phosphatase, and both serum Dickkopf-1 levels and the level of bone mineral density (P > 0.05). Conclusion. Postmenopausal females may suffer from osteoporosis as evidenced by bone densitometry. Postmenopausal women with significantly increased serum Dickkopf-1 had more significant osteoporosis. Prolonged duration of menopause and increased serum Dickkopf-1 are important risk factors for the development and severity of osteoporosis.

Impact of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity on Bone Health among 40 to 60 Year Old Females at Risk of Osteoporosis in India

“…Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m 2 ) (WHO 2004) and Waist/Hip (W/H) was also determined (Ghafoorunissa and Krishnaswamy 1994). Bio chemical markers like serum calcium, serum phosphorus and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were also assessed through standard conventional assays (Ahmed, Fouda, and Abbas 2013). Bone mass density was assessed at three different sites like wrist heel and leg, under the supervision of practicing physician.…”

Osteogenic Dkk1 Mediates Glucocorticoid-Induced but Not Arthritis-Induced Bone Loss

“…Besides bone homeostasis, Dkk1 may play an important role in pathological bone loss. Altered Dkk1 expression is observed in various bone‐related disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, glucocorticoid (GC)‐induced osteoporosis, myeloma bone disease, and postmenopausal osteoporosis . However, despite the importance of Dkk1 for bone homeostasis, the lethality of Dkk1‐deficient mice has hampered research to address its causal role in the development of bone diseases.…”

“…Altered Dkk1 expression is observed in various bone-related disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, (11) glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis, (12,13) myeloma bone disease, (14) and postmenopausal osteoporosis. (15) However, despite the importance of Dkk1 for bone homeostasis, the lethality of Dkk1-deficient mice has hampered research to address its causal role in the development of bone diseases. Here, we addressed the role of Dkk1 in two distinct and frequent bone diseases, arthritis-and GC-induced bone loss using a conditional Dkk1 knock-out approach in mice.…”

Postnatal Skeletal Deletion of Dickkopf-1 Increases Bone Formation and Bone Volume in Male and Female Mice, Despite Increased Sclerostin Expression

“…Overexpression of Dkk1 in mice results in osteopenia with reduced osteoblast numbers, whereas deletion of a single allele of the Dkk1 gene increases bone mass, bone formation, and osteoblast numbers . Dysregulation of Dkk1 expression is found in various bone‐related disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, various cancer types including multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, as well as in glucocorticoid‐induced and postmenopausal osteoporosis . Thus, Dkk1 is a key negative regulator of osteoblast differentiation and is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases affecting bone.…”