Serum asprosin and its association with bone mineral density, oxidative stress, and osteoprotegerin levels in Pakistani women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Abstract

Objectives: Raised asprosin may be related to the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine the role of asprosin in oxidative stress in postmenopausal osteoporosis and its relation with estrogen, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: A case-control study included 80 women, aged 42-65, presenting at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Informed consent was taken, and single blinding was done. Demographic details and a bone mineral density scan were done. Three ml of venous blood sample was taken to measure asprosin, glutathione (GSH), osteoprotegerin, and estrogen levels.

Results: Women with osteoporosis had significantly higher levels of serum asprosin and lower levels of OPG than those without osteoporosis. (p < 0.05) Asprosin was negatively correlated with BMD, OPG, and GSH, and positively with body mass index (p < 0.05). The cutoff value of serum asprosin for screening postmenopausal osteoporosis by area under the curve was > 27.4 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 75% and a 1-specificity of 14%.

Conclusion: Higher serum asprosin and oxidative stress biomarkers are related to decreased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Asprosin may be used as a potential biomarker for early screening of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Small sample size and observational study design were the key limitations of this study.