Osteoprotegerin Levels among Saudi Cardiovascular Patients

ABSTRACT

Background: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are considered an overwhelming health burden in Saudi Arabia, greatlyaggravated with the increasing rates of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and obesity. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is one of the tumornecrosis factor receptors, commonly associated with coronary heart diseases. This study examines the possible correlationamong OPG with both DM and CVD. Methods: The study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and included 201subjects. They were divided into four matched groups group 1 were patients with CVD only; group 2 were patients with DMtype 2; group 3 were patients suffering from DM and CVD, and group 4 was normal control. All groups were divided intomale and female subgroups. The following parameters were measured; complete blood picture, lipid profile, insulin, fastingglucose and kidney function and also then relationship to OPG levels. Results: OPG was significantly elevated in males withCVD alone (8.31 ± 4.01 ng/ml), or in association with DM (6.54 ± 3.55 ng/ml). An increase was noted in female patients,but only in the DM and CVD groups (6.75 ± 3.3 ng/ml). A weak positive correlation was detected between OPGconcentrations with both fibrinogen and glucose levels in females, while in males OPG levels were positively correlated withwaist to hip ratios. Conclusion: OPG could be a valuable biomarker for early CVD appearance.