Increased plasma osteoprotegerin concentrations are associated with indices of bone strength of the hip

Elizabeth J. Samelson, Kerry E. Broe, Serkalem Demissie, Thomas J. Beck, David Karasik, Sekar Kathiresan, Douglas P. Kiel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an important regulator of bone turnover through its effects on osteoclastogenesis, yet findings from previous studies of circulating OPG and commonly measured bone indices in humans have been conflicting. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between plasma OPG and femoral neck (FN) bone density (BMD) and geometry in a large cohort of women and men. Design: Participants included 1379 postmenopausal women and 1165 men, aged 50-89 yr (mean, 64 yr), in the Framingham Offspring Study. Dual x-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate FNBMD and geometry (bone width, section modulus, and cross-sectional area at the narrow neck region). Plasma OPG concentrations were measured by ELISA. Sex-specific analysis of covariance was used to calculate means and assess linear trend in BMD and geometry values across OPG quartiles, adjusted for confounders. Results: OPG concentrations were greater in women than men, increased with age, and were greater in smokers and those with diabetes and heart disease. Multivariable-adjusted mean FN BMD in women increased from the lowest to the highest OPG quartile (trend, P < 0.01). However, no linear trend between FN BMD and OPG was observed in men (trend, P = 0.34). Section modulus and bone width increased with OPG in men (trend, P < 0.01), whereas no association between hip geometry indices and OPG was observed in women. Conclusion: Higher OPG concentration may indicate greater skeletal strength in women and men, possibly through reducing bone loss in women and increasing periosteal apposition in men.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1789-1795
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume93
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2008
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants K01-AR053118, R01-AR050066, R01-AR/AG 41398, R01-AG028321, and R01-HL076784 and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study Grant N01-HC-25195.

Funding

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants K01-AR053118, R01-AR050066, R01-AR/AG 41398, R01-AG028321, and R01-HL076784 and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study Grant N01-HC-25195.

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of HealthR01-AG028321, K01-AR053118, R01-AR/AG 41398, R01-HL076784
National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteN01-HC-25195
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesR01AR050066

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