Serum osteoprotegerin levels are associated with inflammation and pulse wave velocity

Objective: We examined the association between serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, systemic inflammation and arterial stiffness in normal and diabetic patients. Patients and measurements: The study subjects comprised 49 newly diagnosed diabetic patients and 72 age- and sex-matched normal glucose controls. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles, serum OPG, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were measured. Results: Serum OPG levels (6.1 ± 1.4 vs. 5.4 ± 1.3 pmol/l, P = 0.011) and baPWV (1562 ± 354 vs. 1399 ± 257 cm/s, P = 0.004) were significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the normal glucose group. Serum OPG levels in normal and diabetic patients correlated significantly with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.20, P = 0.035), FBG (r = 0.30, P = 0.002), right baPWV (r = 0.22, P = 0.021), left baPWV (r = 0.26, P = 0.006), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.19, P = 0.045), IL-6 (r = 0.32, P = 0.001) and hsCRP (r = 0.21, P = 0.027) after adjusting for age and sex. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum OPG level was significantly associated with age, FBG, IL-6, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and hsCRP (R² = 0.299). Conclusions: In summary, serum OPG and baPWV levels are elevated in diabetic patients and serum OPG levels are significantly associated with inflammation and arterial stiffness.