Objective To observe the expression of human serum sclerostin (SOST) in fluoride (F) exposed population, to study its correlation with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and F bone injury, and try to explore the role of SOST in the process of F bone injury.
Methods General physical status, past and present health state of people exposed to fluoride were questionnaired. Their blood samples were collected from the cubital vein to measure the concentrations of SOST, ALP and blood fluoride (BF). Their orthophoric forearm radiographies were taken. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 18.0.
Results The concentration of SOST in high BF group was (4.806& #177;0.525) μg/L, which was significantly different from that in middle group and low group (P < 0.01). The SOST positive rate of high BF group was 25.0%, which was significantly different from that of low BF group (P < 0.05). The SOST concentration in injury group, non-injury group and control group were (4.870& #177;0.504) μg/L, (5.100& #177;0.627) μg/L and (5.234& #177;0.603) μg/L respectively, and there was significant difference between injury group and non-injury group (P < 0.05). The linear correlation coefficient of SOST and ALP in high fluoride area was r=-0.319 (P=0.001). Individuals with SOST positive rendered, significantly higher risk to develop F bone injury (OR=2.417) compared with those with SOST negative (P < 0.05).
Conclusion The serum SOST is significantly decreased in fluoride exposed population. SOST is related to ALP rising and fluorosis like bone injury. The reduced SOST may be involved in the development of fluorosis bone injury, however, its mechanism is still unrevealed.
DownLoad: