- Mineral, Bone & Muscle
- Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
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Ji Yeon Baek, Seong Hee Ahn, Il-Young Jang, Hee-Won Jung, Eunhye Ji, So Jeong Park, Yunju Jo, Eunju Lee, Dongryeol Ryu, Seongbin Hong, Beom-Jun Kim
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Endocrinol Metab. 2025;40(1):73-81. Published online October 24, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2024.2100
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Abstract
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- Background
Sclerostin, initially recognized for its pivotal role in bone metabolism, has gained attention for its multifaceted impact on overall human health. However, its influence on frailty—a condition that best reflects biological age—has not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods We collected blood samples from 244 older adults who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments. Sclerostin levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty was assessed using two validated approaches: the phenotypic model by Fried and the deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) by Rockwood.
Results After controlling for sex, age, and body mass index, we found that serum sclerostin levels were significantly elevated in frail individuals compared to their robust counterparts (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum sclerostin concentrations and the FI (P<0.001). Each standard deviation increase in serum sclerostin was associated with an odds ratio of 1.87 for frailty (P=0.003). Moreover, participants in the highest quartile of sclerostin levels had a significantly higher FI and a 9.91-fold increased odds of frailty compared to those in the lowest quartile (P=0.003 and P=0.039, respectively).
Conclusion These findings, which for the first time explore the association between circulating sclerostin levels and frailty, have significant clinical implications, positioning sclerostin as one of potential blood-based biomarkers for frailty that captures the comprehensive physical, mental, and social aspects of the elderly, extending beyond its traditional role in bone metabolism.
- Mineral, Bone & Muscle
- Higher Plasma Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1 Is Associated with Lower Risk for Sarcopenia in Older Asian Adults
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Sunghwan Ji, Kyunggon Kim, So Jeong Park, Jin Young Lee, Hee-Won Jung, Hyun Ju Yoo, Il-Young Jang, Eunju Lee, Ji Yeon Baek, Beom-Jun Kim
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Endocrinol Metab. 2023;38(6):701-708. Published online October 18, 2023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2023.1783
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Abstract
PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub
- Background
Despite the protective effects of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in stimulating muscle regeneration shown in experimental research, there is a lack of clinical studies linking circulating SDF-1 concentrations with muscle phenotypes. In order to elucidate the role of SDF-1 as a potential biomarker reflecting human muscle health, we investigated the association of plasma SDF-1 levels with sarcopenia in older adults.
Methods This cross-sectional study included 97 community-dwelling participants who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Sarcopenia was defined by specific cutoff values applicable to the Asian population, whereas plasma SDF-1 levels were determined using an enzyme immunoassay.
Results After accounting for sex, age, and body mass index, participants with sarcopenia and low muscle mass exhibited plasma SDF-1 levels that were 21.8% and 18.3% lower than those without these conditions, respectively (P=0.008 and P=0.009, respectively). Consistently, higher plasma SDF-1 levels exhibited a significant correlation with higher skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and gait speed (both P=0.043), and the risk of sarcopenia and low muscle mass decreased by 58% and 55% per standard deviation increase in plasma SDF-1 levels, respectively (P=0.045 and P=0.030, respectively). Furthermore, participants in the highest SDF-1 tertile exhibited significantly higher SMI compared to those in the lowest tertile (P=0.012).
Conclusion These findings clinically corroborate earlier experimental discoveries highlighting the muscle anabolic effects of SDF- 1 and support the potential role of circulating SDF-1 as a biomarker reflecting human muscle health in older adults.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by 
- Circulating BMP-7 Level is Independent of Sarcopenia in Older Asian Adults
Ahin Choi, Ji Yeon Baek, Eunhye Ji, Il-Young Jang, Hee-Won Jung, So Jeong Park, Yunju Jo, Eunju Lee, Dongryeol Ryu, Beom-Jun Kim Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research.2025; 29(1): 75. CrossRef - Unlocking diagnosis of sarcopenia: The role of circulating biomarkers – A clinical systematic review
F. Veronesi, F. Salamanna, V. Borsari, A. Ruffilli, C. Faldini, G. Giavaresi Mechanisms of Ageing and Development.2024; 222: 112005. CrossRef
- Mineral, Bone & Muscle
- Decreased Serum Level of Sclerostin in Older Adults with Sarcopenia
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Seong Hee Ahn, Hee-Won Jung, Eunju Lee, Ji Yeon Baek, Il-Young Jang, So Jeong Park, Jin Young Lee, Eunah Choi, Yun Sun Lee, Seongbin Hong, Beom-Jun Kim
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Endocrinol Metab. 2022;37(3):487-496. Published online May 27, 2022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2022.1428
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4,932
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Abstract
PDF PubReader ePub
- Background
Although muscles and bones interact with each other through various secretory factors, the role of sclerostin, an osteocyte-secreted factor, on muscle metabolism has not been well studied. We investigated the levels of serum sclerostin in Korean older adults with sarcopenia.
Methods Blood samples were collected from 129 participants who underwent evaluation of muscle mass and function in an outpatient geriatric clinic of a teaching hospital. Sarcopenia and related parameters were determined using cutoff values for the Asian population. Serum sclerostin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results The mean age of the participants was 69.6 years, and 20 participants (15.5%) were classified as having sarcopenia. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, serum sclerostin levels were significantly lower in participants with sarcopenia, low muscle mass, or weak muscle strength (P=0.003 to 0.045). Serum sclerostin levels were positively associated with skeletal muscle index and grip strength after adjusting for confounders (P=0.001 and P=0.003), whereas sarcopenic phenotype score showed a negative association (P=0.006). These increases in muscle mass and strength were also dose dependent as serum sclerostin levels increased (P for trends=0.003 and P for trends=0.015). Higher serum sclerostin levels were associated with lower odds ratio (ORs) for sarcopenia, low muscle mass, and weak muscle strength after adjusting for confounders (OR, 0.27 to 0.50; P<0.001 to 0.025).
Conclusion Higher serum sclerostin levels were associated with a lower risk of sarcopenia, low muscle mass, and weak muscle strength in Korean older adults.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by 
- Bone and muscle crosstalk in ageing and disease
Ben Kirk, Giovanni Lombardi, Gustavo Duque Nature Reviews Endocrinology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Elevated Circulating Sclerostin Levels in Frail Older Adults: Implications beyond Bone Health
Ji Yeon Baek, Seong Hee Ahn, Il-Young Jang, Hee-Won Jung, Eunhye Ji, So Jeong Park, Yunju Jo, Eunju Lee, Dongryeol Ryu, Seongbin Hong, Beom-Jun Kim Endocrinology and Metabolism.2025; 40(1): 73. CrossRef - Mechanism and physical activities in bone-skeletal muscle crosstalk
Zhonghan Zhao, Kai Yan, Qiao Guan, Qiang Guo, Can Zhao Frontiers in Endocrinology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Musculoskeletal disorders and coronary artery disease —promising molecular markers: literature review
Viktoria N. Karetnikova, Anastasiya G. Neeshpapa, Evgenia I. Carpova, Olga L. Barbarash CardioSomatics.2024; 15(1): 55. CrossRef - Differences in Type 2 Fiber Composition in the Vastus Lateralis and Gluteus Maximus of Patients with Hip Fractures
Jingwen Tian, Minchul Song, Kyu Jeong Cho, Ho Yeop Lee, Sang Hyeon Ju, Jung Ryul Lim, Ha Thi Nga, Thi Linh Nguyen, Ji Sun Moon, Hyo Ju Jang, Jung-Mo Hwang, Hyon-Seung Yi Endocrinology and Metabolism.2024; 39(3): 521. CrossRef - Determinants of bone mass in older adults with normal- and overweight derived from the crosstalk with muscle and adipose tissue
Carina O. Walowski, Catrin Herpich, Janna Enderle, Wiebke Braun, Marcus Both, Mario Hasler, Manfred J. Müller, Kristina Norman, Anja Bosy-Westphal Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Role of the Osteocyte in Musculoskeletal Disease
Anika Shimonty, Lynda F. Bonewald, Fabrizio Pin Current Osteoporosis Reports.2023; 21(3): 303. CrossRef - The role of sclerostin in lipid and glucose metabolism disorders
Hewen Jiang, Dijie Li, Ying Han, Nanxi Li, Xiaohui Tao, Jin Liu, Zongkang Zhang, Yuanyuan Yu, Luyao Wang, Sifan Yu, Ning Zhang, Huan Xiao, Xin Yang, Yihao Zhang, Ge Zhang, Bao-Ting Zhang Biochemical Pharmacology.2023; 215: 115694. CrossRef - Cytokines and exosomal miRNAs in skeletal muscle–adipose crosstalk
Liu Guo, Menchus Quan, Weijun Pang, Yulong Yin, Fengna Li Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism.2023; 34(10): 666. CrossRef - Sclerostin: clinical insights in muscle–bone crosstalk
Antimo Moretti, Giovanni Iolascon Journal of International Medical Research.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Anti-sclerostin antibodies: a new frontier in fragility fractures treatment
Giovanni Iolascon, Sara Liguori, Marco Paoletta, Giuseppe Toro, Antimo Moretti Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Sclerostin as a Putative Myokine in Sarcopenia
Hyon-Seung Yi Endocrinology and Metabolism.2022; 37(3): 430. CrossRef - Organokines, Sarcopenia, and Metabolic Repercussions: The Vicious Cycle and the Interplay with Exercise
Giulia Minniti, Letícia Maria Pescinini-Salzedas, Guilherme Almeida dos Santos Minniti, Lucas Fornari Laurindo, Sandra Maria Barbalho, Renata Vargas Sinatora, Lance Alan Sloan, Rafael Santos de Argollo Haber, Adriano Cressoni Araújo, Karina Quesada, Jesse International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2022; 23(21): 13452. CrossRef
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