Work

Positive Correlates of Sclerostin and Association with Peripheral Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Sclerostin or dickkopf-1 (DKK1) inhibits the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which regulates vascular calcification and may contribute to the development of arterial stiffness. The brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measures peripheral arterial stiffness (PAS). This study aimed to investigate the correlation between sclerostin and DKK1 levels and PAS in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: Biochemical data and sclerostin and DKK1 levels were analyzed in the fasting blood samples of 125 patients with T2DM. baPWV measurements using the VaSera VS-1000 automatic pulse wave analyzer classified patients with values > 18.0 m/s on either side into the PAS group. Results: Among patients with T2DM, 47 (37.6%) were classified as having PAS. These patients exhibited higher hypertension prevalence (p = 0.002); greater age (p < 0.001); elevated systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood (p = 0.012) pressures; and increased fasting glucose (p = 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.008), triglyceride (p = 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.001), and creatinine (p = 0.001) levels, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (p = 0.039), and C-reactive protein (p = 0.024) and serum sclerostin (p < 0.001) levels, but decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified serum sclerostin level (odds ratio, 1.127; 95% confidence interval, 1.058–1.200; p < 0.001) as an independent PAS predictor in patients with T2DM. Serum log-transformed sclerostin levels were positively correlated with left (p = 0.005) and right (p = 0.001) baPWV via Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient analysis. Conclusions: Serum sclerostin levels, but not DKK1 levels, are positively correlated with PAS in patients with T2DM.

Source: Medicina

DOI: 10.3390/medicina62040643

Authors: Bang-Gee Hsu, Jer-Chuan Li, Du-An Wu, Ming-Chun Chen

Institutions: Tzu Chi University, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Tzu Chi Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654