Objective: Sclerostin, a Wingless (Wnt) pathway antagonist, is an established regulator of bone mineralization in humans but its potential importance in the regulation of vascular calcification is less clear. Therefore, our objective was to assess the relationship of serum sclerostin levels with coronary and aortic artery calcification (CAC and AAC, respectively) in Afro-Caribbean men on the island of Tobago.
Methods: Serum sclerostin levels and computed tomography of CAC and AAC were measured in 191 men (age mean(SD): 62.9(8.0)years) recruited without regard to health status. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the cross-sectional association of sclerostin with prevalent arterial calcification.
Results: Mean(SD) sclerostin was 45.2 pmol/L (15.6 pmol/L). After adjusting for risk factors including age, physical and lifestyle characteristics, comorbidities, lipoproteins and kidney function, 1 SD greater sclerostin level was associated with a 1.61-times (95%CI 1.02-2.53) greater odds of having CAC. Sclerostin was not associated with AAC in any model.
Conclusions: This is the first study to show that, among Afro-Caribbean men, greater serum sclerostin concentrations were associated with prevalence and extent of CAC. Further studies are needed to better define the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in arterial calcification in humans.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4331206 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.01.010 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Introduction: The PROSTest is a novel machine learning-based liquid biopsy assay that functions as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in prostate cancer (PCa). The algorithm outcome (scored 0-100) has a cutoff of >50 to indicate PCa. In this study, we evaluated the screening utility of the test in comparison with the commonly used PSA test.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReaching out to fathers in Afro-Caribbean contexts: a case study review of best practices from the Fatherhood is Sacred program in native communities.
Front Psychol
July 2024
Department of Human Development and Family Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States.
Historical trauma has played a significant role in the difficulties of fathers to fulfill their coparenting roles in Native American communities. This pattern is also true for men in Afro-Caribbean communities. Fatherhood programs developed by the Native American Fatherhood and Family Association (NAFFA) have shown effectiveness in supporting fathers, enhancing their confidence and coparenting skills, and overcoming trauma in Native communities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEthnic differences in postprandial fatty acid trafficking and utilization between overweight and obese White European and Black African-Caribbean men.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab
October 2024
Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Black African-Caribbean (BAC) populations are at greater risk of cardiometabolic disease than White Europeans (WE), despite exhibiting lower fasting triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations. However, limited data exist regarding postprandial fatty acid metabolism in BAC populations. This study determined the ethnic differences in postprandial fatty acid metabolism between overweight and obese WE and BAC men.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh-Resolution MRA Cerebrovascular Findings in a Tri-Ethnic Population.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
November 2024
From the Neuroradiological Academic Unit (R.R., M.S., H.R.J.), Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London London, UK.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of incidental cerebrovascular findings and variations of the circle of Willis (CoW) among a diverse UK tri-ethnic population using high-resolution MRI imaging.
- A total of 750 participants, including White Europeans, South Asians, and African Caribbeans, were analyzed; incidental findings were found in 11.2% of subjects, with cerebral aneurysms and stenoses being the most common, particularly prevalent in South Asians.
- Results indicated that the CoW was more complete in women and showed significant ethnic differences, suggesting that ethnicity plays a role in both cerebrovascular abnormalities and the anatomy of the CoW.
Case report: "Fur stole and turtleneck" and "halter-back" signs: an expanded wardrobe for dermatomyositis.
Front Immunol
June 2024
Department of Medicine, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
A diagnosis of dermatomyositis requires recognition of distinct patterns of skin disease in combination with, and sometimes without, muscle weakness. Often, a striking contrast between involved and uninvolved areas is observed. Familiar patterns include eyelid and midfacial eruptions, Gottron papules/sign, and upper back (shawl sign), central chest (V/open collar sign), and lateral thigh (holster sign) involvement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!