Sclerostin is expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques of patients who undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
Diabetes Metab Res Rev
; 35(1): e3069, 2019 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30144272
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Sclerostin (SC) is a monomeric glycoprotein expressed by osteocytes that affects bone formation. Recent studies have suggested a potential role for this protein in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate SC expression in atherosclerotic plaques of patients affected by severe atherosclerotic disease who underwent carotid endarterectomy. We also evaluated possible differences in SC expression between patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional study involving 46 patients aged 55 to 80 years (mean, 71.1 ± 6.7 years, 36 men, 15 patients with T2D) who underwent carotid endarterectomy. Immunohistochemical levels of SC were evaluated in the atherosclerotic plaques by double-staining immunochemistry, and serum SC levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS:
Sclerostin was present in the atherosclerotic plaques of all subjects investigated and increased significantly in the media compared with the intima (P < 0.0001) as well as in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) compared with the infiltrating macrophages (P < 0.0001). However, no significant difference in SC expression was observed between patients with and without T2D. No correlation was found between serum and immunohistochemical levels of SC; significantly increased SC serum levels were detected in males compared with females (P = 0.049).CONCLUSIONS:
We have demonstrated, for the first time, the expression of SC in VSMCs of atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting a potential role for this protein in the development of atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed to understand if the role played by SC is detrimental or protective in the atherosclerotic disease process.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Endarterectomy, Carotid
/
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
/
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
/
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Diabetes Metab Res Rev
Journal subject:
ENDOCRINOLOGIA
/
METABOLISMO
Year:
2019
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy