Serum levels of leptin, osteopontin, and sclerostin in patients with and without knee osteoarthritis

Objective To investigate the relationship between leptin, osteopontin (OPN), sclerostin (SOST) and severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods The study included 148 consecutive patients with knee OA and 101 non-KOA subjects enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for primary knee OA. Severity of the disease was assessed using plain radiography of the affected knee, according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification. Fasting blood samples were obtained from all patients and controls; the serum samples were kept at - 80 degrees C before assessment of leptin, OPN, and SOST using a multiplex particle-based flow cytometric assay. Results KOA patients group compared with the control group, serum leptin (KOA, 26581.7 +/- 2011.5 pg/ml, vs control,6936.4 +/- 702.2 pg/ml),OPN (KOA, 4908.3 +/- 769.4 pg/ml, vs control, 2182.5 +/- 217.8 pg/ml), and SOST (KOA, 2481.9 +/- 543.5 pg/ml, vs control, 1288.9 +/- 267.7 pg/ml) in the KOA group were higher than control group; there were also differences in three bone metabolic factors between male and female in the KOA group; meanwhile, there was correlation between each factor and the incidence of KOA. Conclusion Our study of 249 serum samples was conducted. Serum leptin, OPN, and SOST were significantly increased in KOA patients, and there was an internal correlation; these findings could, at best, contribute to the identification of novel targets for medical interventions.

Automated summary

The study found that serum leptin, OPN, and SOST levels were higher in KOA patients compared to the control group, and there were differences in these three bone metabolic factors between males and females in the KOA group. Additionally, there was a correlation between each factor and the incidence of KOA, suggesting novel targets for medical interventions.