Serum Osteopontin Levels Research Articles

Investigation of osteopontin and CD44 levels in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders

BackgroundThe information about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and progression of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) is limited and the etiology of these disorders is still controversial. Biochemical analyzes are an important tool in understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases. ObjectiveThe main aim of the present study was to investigate the role of serum osteopontin (OPN) and CD44 levels in the etiopathology and to determine whether they could be used as biochemical markers in the diagnosis of TMDs. MethodsTotal number of 54 patients who diagnosed with TMD and total of 34 healthy controls with no joint problems were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from all patients and then serum samples were analyzed by OPN and CD44 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsAccording to the control group, there was a significant decrease in OPN levels in patients with TMDs. However, no statistically significant difference was found in CD44 levels among the groups. ConclusionsFindings obtained in the present study suggest that OPN may play a key role in the pathogenesis of TMDs as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of these diseases.

The Study of Hemodialysis on the Change Rate of Serum Osteopontin, Sialic Acid, and Nitric Oxide Levels

Objective : Chronic renal failure (CRF) is one of the most prevalent diseases of human societies, especially in Iraq. Despite all advances that have been made so far, hemodialysis with all its complications is being applied as the novel treatment strategy for such individuals.Osteopontin (OPN) is a multi-functional secreted glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in and inflammatory process.Our aim was to ascertain whether circulating osteopontin,sialic acid ,and NO levels are altered in patients with CRF before and after dialysis.Design and Methods: A total of 126 patients with HD were enrolled in this study. Serum OPN levels were measured using a commercial enzymelinked immunosorbent assay kit.Results: Osteopontin and Sialic acid levels were significantly higher in haemodialysed CKD patients than predialysed CKD patients and normal healthy controls. The levels of NO was significantly lower in CRF patients pre HD when compared with healthy controls and significantly increased in post HD as compared to pre HD. Conclusion: In our study, OPN SA, NO were found to be a valuable marker of severity of CKD.

Transitional cell carcinoma matrix stiffness regulates the osteopontin and YAP expression in recurrent patients.

Cells translate the mechanosensing of extracellular matrix component dysregulation and stiffness into the signal transduction including Osteopontin (OPN) through the Hippo pathway. But how extracellular matrix (ECM) component dysregulation and stiffness are ultimately linked to transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) development remains poorly understood. This study was aimed to evaluate the possible links between ECM component alteration after cancer surgery and OPN and Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression in TCC and adjacent tissues. In this study, we used 50 TCC (25 newly diagnosed and 25 recurrent) and 50 adjacent tissues to determine the tissue stiffness using atomic force microscopy. The mRNA expression of SPP1, Indian hedgehog (IHH), and YAP was also determined using qRT-PCR. Western blotting and ELISA were performed to assess the tissue and serum levels of OPN, respectively. To assess the glycoproteins and elastic fibers content, Periodic Acid Schiff, and Verhoeff-Van Gieson Staining were performed, respectively. Matrix stiffness was markedly higher in TCCs than adjacent tissues (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis showed that YAP, SPP1, and IHH genes were upregulated in TCC tissues (p < 0.05). Additionally, the OPN protein overexpression was observed in the tissue and the serum of TCC patients (p < 0.05). We also found that glycoproteins, elastic fibers content of recurrent TCC tissues was remarkably higher as compared to adjacent tissues (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that glycoproteins and elastic fibers content modulation and ECM stiffness may upregulates the expression of YAP, SPP1 and IHH genes, and possibly contribute to the TCC development and relapse.

Bone density and bone health alteration in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a prospective observational study.

Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) are at increased risk for compromised bone health, manifesting as low-impact trauma long bone fractures and vertebral compression fractures. In a prospective observational study, we studied bone health parameters in North Indian boys with DMD. We consecutively enrolled ambulatory boys with DMD on glucocorticoid therapy. Bone health was evaluated with X-ray spine, Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), serum calcium, vitamin D3 (25[OH]D), 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3), serum osteocalcin, osteopontin, and N terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (Ntx) levels. A total of 76 boys with DMD were enrolled. The median age was 8.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 7.04-10.77)years. Among these, seven (9.2%) boys had long bone fractures, and four (5.3%) had vertebral compression fractures. Fifty-four (71%) boys underwent DXA scan, and among these 31 (57%) had low bone mineral density (BMD, ≤-2 z-score) at the lumbar spine. The mean BMD z-score at the lumbar spine was-2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]=-1.8,-2.8), and at the femoral neck was-2.5 (95% CI=-2,-2.9). 25(OH)D levels were deficient in 68 (89.5%, n=76) boys, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were deficient in all. Mean serum osteocalcin levels were 0.68±0.38ng/mL (n=54), serum osteopontin levels were 8.6±4.6pg/mL (n=54) and serum Ntx levels were 891±476nmol/L (n=54). Boys with low BMD received glucocorticoids for longer duration, in comparison to those with normal BMD (median, IQR [16.9(6-34) months vs. 7.8(4.8-13.4) months]; p=0.04). Bone health is compromised in North Indian boys with DMD. BMD at the lumbar spine is reduced in more than half of boys with DMD and nearly all had vitamin D deficiency on regular vitamin D supplements. Longer duration of glucocorticoid therapy is a risk factor for low BMD in our cohort.

Association of serum osteopontin with first hospitalization and all-cause mortality after kidney transplantation.

Objective:Osteopontin (OPN) is involved in vascular calcification and atherosclerosis. We evaluated the association between serum OPN levels and the first postoperative hospitalization and all-cause mortality in patients who received kidney transplantation (KT).Materials and Methods:Seventy KT recipients were enrolled in this study from January to April 2012. The primary end point was first postoperative hospitalization or death. All patients were monitored in the outpatient clinics until June 30, 2017. Serum OPN level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:During follow-up (median length, 65 months), 47 first postoperative hospitalizations and 8 deaths occurred. In comparison with serum median OPN levels, serum OPN level was positively associated with KT duration (P = 0.048), serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN; P = 0.043), and serum creatinine levels (P = 0.045) but negatively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; P = 0.049). Hospitalized KT recipients had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = 0.032), BUN (P = 0.002), and serum OPN level (P = 0.001) but lower eGFR (P = 0.030) than did patients not hospitalized. KT recipients who died had higher serum level of creatinine (P = 0.009) and OPN (P = 0.001) but lower eGFR (P = 0.036) than did surviving patients. Multivariate Cox analysis adjusted for age, gender, DM, hypertension, eGFR, KT duration, and steroid used showed that serum OPN level was associated with both first postoperative hospitalization (P = 0.049) and all-cause mortality (P = 0.017).Conclusions:Serum OPN level is a potential biomarker for first postoperative hospitalization and all-cause mortality in KT recipients.

Salivary Osteopontin as a Potential Biomarker for Oral Mucositis.

Osteopontin (OPN), a multifunctional phosphoglycoprotein also presents in saliva, plays a crucial role in tumour progression, inflammation and mucosal protection. Mucosal barrier injury due to high-dose conditioning regimen administered during autologous and allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT) has neither efficient therapy nor established biomarkers. Our aim was to assess the biomarker role of OPN during APSCT, with primary focus on oral mucositis (OM). Serum and salivary OPN levels were determined by ELISA in 10 patients during APSCT at four stages of transplantation (day −3/−7, 0, +7, +14), and in 23 respective healthy controls. Results: There was a negative correlation between both salivary and serum OPN levels and grade of OM severity during APSCT (r = −0.791, p = 0.019; r = −0.973, p = 0.001). Salivary OPN increased at days +7 (p = 0.011) and +14 (p = 0.034) compared to controls. Among patients, it was higher at day +14 compared to the time of admission (day −3/−7) (p = 0.039) and transplantation (day 0) (p = 0.011). Serum OPN remained elevated at all four stages of transplantation compared to controls (p = 0.013, p = 0.02, p = 0.011, p = 0.028). During APSCT elevated salivary OPN is a potential non-invasive biomarker of oral mucositis whereas the importance of high serum OPN warrants further studies.

Osteopontin's relationship with malnutrition and oxidative stress in adolescents. A pilot study.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a protein involved in inflammatory illnesses such as fibrosis and cancer; its overexpression in cardiovascular diseases promotes the biomineralization of blood vessels and other soft tissues. Moreover, there is an active component of oxidative stress related with those diseases. The present study relates serum OPN levels with nutritional condition and oxidative stress in a group of adolescents. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and fasting blood samples were analyzed to determine OPN concentrations, blood chemistry parameters (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, uric acid, and creatinine) and oxidative stress biomarkers (Paraoxonase-1, Glutathione S-Transferase, Catalase, NAD(P)H Quinone Oxidoreductase, free carbonyl groups and malondialdehyde). Adolescents were categorized according to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria. We found increased OPN serum concentrations in overweight and obese adolescents, as well as in adolescents with MetS. Rises in OPN correlated with arm circumference and biomarkers of lipid peroxidation; with regard to serum glucose there was a trend to positive correlation. Our results suggest that serum OPN is associated to nutritional status and could be considered as an early biomarker of low-grade inflammation and probably the early biomineralization of soft tissues in adolescence.

Определение концентрации маркеров кальциевого метаболизма у пациентов с кальций-оксалатным нефролитиазом

THE AIM OF THE RESEARCH: to reveal the relationship of various markers of calcium metabolism (osteopontin (OPN), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH)) on the course of urolithiasis (Urolithiasis) in patients with calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Materials and methods 100 people were examined, the following groups were included: group 1 - patients with calcium oxalate primary nephrolithiasis (n=41), group 2 - with calcium oxalate recurrent nephrolithiasis (n=39). Group 3 included conditionally healthy volunteers (n=20). The studies were carried out by the immunoenzymometric ELIZA and biochemical methods using appropriate test systems. Results in patients with recurrent nephrolithiasis, the serum PTHrP level is 54.6 (25.4-78.2) pg / ml, which is 3.7 times higher than in conventionally healthy individuals; the level of osteopontin is more than 1.5 times higher and amounts to 1.820 (0.991-2.212) pg / ml. In the group of primary nephrolithiasis, the level of PTHrP is 2-2.5 times higher than in conventionally healthy people. In patients with primary nephrolithiasis, the blood calcium level does not correlate with the level of PTHrP in the blood (r=- 0.0173, p> 0.05), as in the group with recurrent nephrolithiasis (r=0.0223, p>0.05). Discussion in patients with recurrent nephrolithiasis in the preoperative period, the serum levels of osteopontin and PTHrP in the blood serum were higher than in patients who were first diagnosed with urolithiasis, the data obtained can be used as a criterion for predicting the risk of recurrence of urolithiasis in the postoperative period. The blood calcium level does not have a statistically significant relationship with PTHrP, which allows us to assume that PTHrP has other mechanisms of influence on the development of urolithiasis, given the data obtained that the PTHrP level in patients with primary and recurrent nephrolithiasis is higher than in conditionally healthy people. Conclusion Determination of the level of PTHrP and osteopontin in patients with urolithiasis allows predicting the risk of recurrence of urolithiasis at the stage of primary calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Determination of the level of PTHrP makes it possible to predict the risks of developing urolithiasis in conventionally healthy individuals, which can be used for targeted prevention of an unfavorable course of urolithiasis by prescribing timely adequate rational therapy and correcting the patients diet. At the same time, no correlation was found between the level of PTHrP and the level of blood calcium in patients with calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis; therefore, further studies of the role of this protein in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis are needed.

Prediction of acute renal allograft rejection by combined HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion genotype analysis and detection of kidney injury molecule-1 and osteopontin in the peripheral blood

IntroductionAcute renal rejection usually fails to be diagnosed before the increase in the serum creatinine levels, and the resultant damage to the renal tissues occur in varying degrees. We hypothesized that the combined detection of human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) 14-bp insertion/deletion genotypes and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and osteopontin (OPN) levels in serum might facilitate the prediction of acute renal allograft rejections in kidney transplant recipients. MethodsHLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion genotypes and the serum KIM-1 and OPN levels of 77 kidney transplant recipients were determined and compared before operation and on days 1, 4, and 7 after the operation (32 in acute rejection [AR] group and 45 in stable allograft function [STA] group). These 3 indicators were combined to establish a model for the early prediction of AR. ResultsThe KIM-1 levels in the serum of patients were significantly higher in the AR group than in the STA group. The area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) of KIM-1 for the prediction of rejection was maximized on the1st day after operation, with a sensitivity of 84.4% and a specificity of 86.7%. The OPN levels in the serum of patients were significantly higher in the AR group than in the STA group only before operation and on the 7th day after operation. The AUC of OPN for the prediction of rejection was maximized on 7th day after operation, with a sensitivity of 68.8% and a specificity of 88.9%. The HLA-G + 14-bp allele frequency was also significantly higher in the AR group than in the STA group. The results of these three indicators were converted into a qualitative method. If any two of the three indicators show as positive, it was diagnosed as acute rejection, and it has the highest ability to predict acute rejection with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.38% and 91.11%, respectively. ConclusionsThe HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion genotype and KIM-1 and OPN levels in the patients' serum were significantly different between the AR and STA groups. The power of predicting acute renal allograft rejection could be improved by combined these three biomarkers.

Comparison of Efficacy of Teriparatide (Parathyroid Hormone 1-34) Alone and in Combination with Zoledronic Acid for Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of teriparatide (parathyroid hormone 1-34) alone and in combination with zoledronic acid (ZA) for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Ninety-six patients were randomly equally divided into Groups A (n=48) and B (n=48). Group A was given parathyroid hormone 1-34 alone. Group B was treated with parathyroid hormone 1-34 plus ZA. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, bone mineral density(BMD), serum osteopontin (OPN), and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (S-CTX) etc. were compared. After 6 months of treatment, VAS score, serum OPN and S-CTX levels in Group B were significantly lower than those in Group A (p=0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively); and BMD values of lumbar vertebrae L2-4, femoral neck and total hip bone in Group B were higher than those of Group A (p=0.002, p=0.028 and p<0.001, respectively). In conclusion, parathyroid hormone 1-34 plus ZA is more effective than parathyroid hormone 1-34 alone in treating post postmenopausal osteoporosis. Key Words: Teriparatide (parathyroid hormone 1-34, Zoledronic acid (ZA), Postmenopausal, Osteoporosis, Bone mineral density (BMD).

Diagnostic Role of Osteopontin in Interstitial Lung Disease

Objective: Early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is desirable not only to better define pathobiological mechanisms, but also to customize treatment protocols. As osteopontin (OPN) expression may be linked to the fibrotic remodelling in ILD, this present study was planned to evaluate the usefulness of its estimation in serum for the diagnosis of ILD.Material and Methods: Serum OPN levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 52 diagnosed cases of ILD, that were then compared with 46 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and 46 apparently healthy controls.Results: Median levels of serum OPN were found to be significantly higher in patients with ILD, 2.186 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml), as compared to patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and healthy controls (1.687 and 1.923 ng/ml, respectively). The best cutoff levels of OPN, for diagnosis of ILD, was found to be &gt;1.08 ng/ml; with a sensitivity of 88.4% and specificity of 32.6%. Of the various subtypes, serum OPN levels were found to be highest in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features; although the difference in levels between various subgroups was not found to be statistically significant (p-value=0.495).Conclusion: Serum concentration of OPN was found to be increased in patients with ILD and may be used to aid diagnosis. This opens new avenues for future research in patients with ILD, not only for the validation of the diagnostic abilities of OPN, but also as a potential target in its treatment.

Serum level of osteopontin in patients with alopecia areata and its correlation with ocular changes

Background Alopecia areata (AA) is a type of nonscarring hair loss affecting anagen-stage hair follicles with a multifactorial autoimmune pathogenesis and an unknown etiology. Osteopontin (OPN), also known as bone sialoprotein I and early T-lymphocyte activation-1, is a member of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein family. OPN is widely distributed in human tissues and expressed in several cell types. The significant increase in the immunopositivity of the perifollicular inflammatory cells for OPN in AA cases as well as its strong expression in the hair follicles, especially the miniaturized ones, offers further proof for its role in AA. OPN was found to be strongly expressed in retina, trabecular meshwork, optic nerve, iris, and vitreous humour. Ocular findings associated with AA, the most prevalent of these, are cataracts and retinal pigment epithelial changes. Aim The aim of the present study is to evaluate serum level of OPN in patients with AA and correlate it with ocular changes to assess its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Patients and methods This case–control study included 40 patients who presented with AA diagnosed on the basis of typical clinical features, representing the patient group. Moreover, 40 age-matched and sex-matched apparently healthy individuals were also included, representing the control group. All patients were recruited (according to inclusion and exclusion criteria) from the Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology of Al-Zahra University Hospital during the period from February 2017 to February 2018. Results In our study, there was a highly statistically increase in serum level of OPN in the patient group. There was no significant difference between male and female regarding serum levels of OPN. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum OPN level in patient group and duration of disease. There was no correlation between serum OPN and age and severity of alopecia tool score. There was more significant increase in eye manifestations in patients than controls. Mean break-up time was statistically higher among patients than controls. There was a statistically highly significant positive correlation between serum OPN level and break-up time, lens abnormalities, and fundus abnormalities. Conclusion Patients with alopecia may have more lenticular and retinal abnormal findings than individuals without alopecia, but those findings do not interfere with visual acuity.

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds enhancing osteogenesis postinduced-bone fracture

Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate the role of garden cress seeds (GCS) in osteogenic enhancement in bone fractures induced in rabbits. Materials and Methods: Thirty New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (n = 30) of 6 months of age and weighing 3–4 kg were included in this study. Rabbits were distributed into two main groups, One served as control and the other were subjected to induced transverse diaphyseal fractures of the left femurs. All rabbits were accommodated in cages and permitted to move freely without external support. Wound care, hygienic conditions, diet and behavior were observed and followed up on daily basis. At the end of the study, five rabbits of each subgroup were sacrificed, followed by dissection of the left femurs. Histomorphometric measurements were performed in all microscopic fields at a ×100 using by Leica microscope DM 2500 connected to a camera (Leica DFC 295) and Leica Q win V3 image analysis software. Results: Bone markers analysis revealed that the serum levels of osteopontin and Vitamin D in fractured femur rabbits fed on 6 g GCS showed a significant increase compared to those of untreated fractured femur by the end of the 2nd phase of the study. The serum levels of Osteocalcin in fractured femur rabbits fed on 12 g GCS showed a significant decrease compared to those of untreated fractured femur at the end of the study. The serum levels of Parathormone and Lactoferrin in fractured femur rabbits fed on 12 g GCS showed a significant increase compared to those of untreated fractured femur at the end of the 2nd and 3rd phases of the study accompanied by a significant elevation in liver function test serum levels of fractured femur rabbits fed on 6 g GCS at the end of the 2nd and 3rd phases of the study. The histomorphometric evaluation showed marked improvement of fractured femur rabbits fed on 6 and 12 g of GCS as compared to those of untreated fractured femurs. Conclusion: Garden cress seeds could be a promising alternative treatment in bone fracture.

Relationship between Osteopontin and Bone Mineral Density.

Recent studies suggest that osteopontin (OPN) could be used as an early marker for the diagnosis of bone disorders. Considering the contradictory opinions in the literature, the objective of this systematic review is to analyse the current information regarding the relationship between OPN and bone mineral density (BMD), which represents an important process in the development of osteoporosis. We performed a literature search of clinical trials using the PubMed database, published between 1999-2020, and identified 7 studies that were eligible for analysis. The eligibility criteria were based on studies that analysed the relationship between osteopontin and bone mineral density on human subjects. Conclusion: serum OPN levels might be used as a biomarker of the early diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, with or without osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Expression-Based Genome-Wide Association Study Links Osteopontin and Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist With Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Background: Islet autoantibodies (IAbs) are currently most reliable indicators of islet autoimmunity. However, IAbs do not fully meet the need for the prediction and intervention of type 1 diabetes (T1D). We assumed that secreted proteins associated with T1D are great sources for serum biomarkers. Methods: In an attempt to identify additional biomarkers, we performed an expression-based genome-wide association study (eGWAS) using microarray data from 169 arrays of the pancreatic islets of T1D rodents (78 T1D cases and 91 controls). We ranked all 16,099 protein-coding genes by the likelihood of differential expression in the pancreatic islets. Our top 20 secreted proteins were screened using the serum samples from newly diagnosed children with diabetes. First, we screened 20 selected candidates with 170 sera including 100 T1D, and 50 type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 20 age matched healthy children. With 6 proteins showing significance, we further did validation study using the second independent set of 400 samples from newly diagnosed children with diabetes and age matched controls including 200 T1D, 100 T2D, and 100 age-matched controls. Findings: We identified 2 serum proteins were significantly changed in T1D vs both control and T2D and 5 serum proteins were significantly changed in both T1D and T2D vs control. Serum Osteopontin (OPN) levels were uniquely higher in T1D (p<0.0001) with no difference between T2D and healthy control subjects. Serum Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) levels were lower in T1D compared with both T2D (p<0.001) and healthy subjects (p<0.0001). Interpretation: Our results suggest that OPN and IL1RA could be the candidates of useful biomarkers for T1D in children. Funding Information: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) grant (2-SRA-2019-695-S-B), Diabetes Research Center (DRC) grant P30 DK116073. Declaration of Interests: No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported. The authors declare no conflict of interest associated with this manuscript. Ethics Approval Statement: Signed written informed consents were obtained from participants and the studies were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Colorado.

Development of outcome measures according to dystrophic phenotypes in canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked lethal muscle disorder characterized by primary muscle degeneration. Therapeutic strategies for DMD have been extensively explored, and some are in the stage of human clinical trials. Along with the development of new therapies, sensitive outcome measures are needed to monitor the effects of new treatments. Therefore, we investigated outcome measures such as biomarkers and motor function evaluation in a dystrophic model of beagle dogs, canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMDJ). Osteopontin (OPN), a myogenic inflammatory cytokine, was explored as a potential biomarker in dystrophic dogs over the disease course. The serum OPN levels of CXMDJ dystrophic dogs were elevated, even in the early disease phase, and this could be related to the presence of regenerating muscle fibers; as such, OPN would be a promising biomarker for muscle regeneration. Next, accelerometry, which is an efficient method to quantify performance in validated tasks, was used to evaluate motor function longitudinally in dystrophic dogs. We measured three-axis acceleration and angular velocity with wireless hybrid sensors during gait evaluations. Multiple parameters of acceleration and angular velocity showed notedly lower values in dystrophic dogs compared with wild-type dogs, even at the onset of muscle weakness. These parameters accordingly decreased with exacerbation of clinical manifestations along with the disease course. Multiple parameters also indicated gait abnormalities in dystrophic dogs, such as a waddling gait. These outcome measures could be applicable in clinical trials of patients with DMD or other muscle disorders.

The Relationship between Circulating Levels of Osteopontin with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children on Regular Hemodialysis

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Osteopontin (OPN) is a critical factor in developing atherosclerosis and increases the risk for a major adverse cardiovascular event. Aim: To investigate osteopontin serum levels in hemodialysis children and detect the association between the main arteries’ intimal medial thickness (IMT) and peak systolic velocity. Material and Methods: This case-control study included 30 children on regular hemodialysis and 30 children age and sex-matched as controls their age range from 4 to 18 years; we investigated osteopontin serum level in addition to the Doppler ultrasound assessment of intimal medial thickness and peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the main arteries in the same line with the traditional markers of the routine investigations of children on regular hemodialysis. Results: Significantly high osteopontin level in hemodialysis children than the controls was (0.85 ± 0.21 ng/ml) (0.69 ± 0.26 ng/ml), respectively (p = 0.026). A significant increase in the (IMT) of the main arteries, including the carotid and femoral arteries, in the patient’s group than the controls, was (0.51 ± 0.01 mm) (0. 69. ± 0.01 mm) (0.32 ± 0.036 mm) (0.55 ± 0.01), respectively (p = 0.001). There is a strong correlation between (OPN) with the (IMT) of carotid and femoral arteries, a significant positive correlation between (OPN) with urea, creatinine, triglyceride, PTH, ferritin, CRP, and ESR, and a negative correlation with RBCs count and carotid PSV. Conclusion: High osteopontin level is consistent with the increased IMT of the main arteries in hemodialysis children that seem to play a significant role in developing and propagating atherosclerosis in hemodialysis children, evidenced by significant association with inflammatory markers and uremic toxins.

Comparison of serum adiponectin and osteopontin levels along with metabolic risk factors between obese and lean women with and without PCOS.

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible relation between serum adiponectin and osteopontin levels as metabolic risk markers among women with different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes. In a University Hospital setting PCOS patients diagnosed according to Rotterdam Consensus Conference criteria with body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 35 were recruited. Overall, 57 PCOS patients and 57 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Luteinising hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone FSH ratio (LH/FSH), free androgen index (FAI), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS-S) was found to be significantly higher in women with PCOS. There was significant interaction between PCOS status and obesity for serum adiponectin levels. Although mean adiponectin and osteopontin levels were similar among cases and controls, a further two-way ANOVA comparison within lean and obese subgroups revealed adiponectin to be significantly lower in lean PCOS women than in lean controls. LH/FSH ratio and adiponectin levels were all found to differ between lean counterparts; however, they did not show any correlation with metabolic markers [cholesterol, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels] in overall lean women or in the lean PCOS subgroup. Serum adiponectin levels in lean PCOS women were significantly lower than those in lean controls. On the other hand, mean adiponectin and osteopontin levels were similar in PCOS cases and controls overall.

Relationship between serum osteopontin levels and the severity of COVID-19 infection.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute inflammatory respiratory disease. Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycoprotein expressed in various cell types, such as bone, immune, smooth muscle, epithelial and endothelial cells. It also acts as a regulator of immune response. The aim of the present study was to reveal the place of serum osteopontin levels in predicting severity among patients with COVID-19.MethodsThis study included 84 patients, 43 female and 45 male. Patients were divided into 2 groups, group 1 non-severe group (n: 48), group 2 severe (n: 40). Demographic data, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, white blood cell counts, albumin, procalcitonin, C‑reactive protein (CRP) and OPN levels were recorded. The OPN levels and these inflammatory parameters of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in terms of gender (female/male 25/23 vs. 18/22) and platelet count (178 K/μL vs. 191 K/μL) between the groups (p > 0.05). Ages (57.7 ± 17.0 years vs. 71.4 ± 12.8 years), procalcitonin (0.07 vs. 0.24 ng/mL), CRP (17 vs 158 mg/l), neutrophil count (3.7 vs 5.64 K/μL), WBC counts (5.38 vs 7.85 K/μL) and number of deaths (0 vs 26) (p < 0.001). The OPN levels (98.5 vs 13.75 ng/mL, p = 0.002) were found to be statistically higher, in group 2 than group 1.ConclusionThe present study showed that OPN can be used to predict the severity in patients with COVID-19.

High levels of osteopontin associated with polymorphisms in its gene are a risk factor for development of autoimmunity/lymphoproliferation

AbstractThe autoimmune/lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) displays defective function of Fas, autoimmunities, lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly, and expansion of CD4/CD8 double-negative (DN) T cells. Dianzani autoimmune/lymphoproliferative disease (DALD) is an ALPS variant lacking DN cells. Both forms have been ascribed to inherited mutations hitting the Fas system but other factors may be involved. A pilot cDNA array analysis on a DALD patient detected overexpression of the cytokine osteopontin (OPN). This observation was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection of higher OPN serum levels in DALD patients (n = 25) than in controls (n = 50). Analysis of the OPN cDNA identified 4 polymorphisms forming 3 haplotypes (A, B, and C). Their overall distribution and genotypic combinations were different in patients (N = 26) and controls (N = 158) (P < .01). Subjects carrying haplotype B and/or C had an 8-fold higher risk of developing DALD than haplotype A homozygotes. Several data suggest that these haplotypes influence OPN levels: (1) in DALD families, high levels cosegregated with haplotype B or C; (2) in healthy controls, haplotype B or C carriers displayed higher levels than haplotype A homozygotes; and (3) in AB and AC heterozygotes, mRNA for haplotype B or C was more abundant than that for haplotype A. In vitro, exogenous OPN decreased activation-induced T-cell death, which suggests that high OPN levels are involved in the apoptosis defect.