Osteoprotegerin in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an inhibitor of bone resorption. Circulating levels of OPG seem to be elevated in patients with cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. The relationship between OPG and the metabolic syndrome has never been studied in postmenopausal women. In a population-based study, 382 Iranian postmenopausal women were randomly selected. Cardiovascular risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and OPG were measured. The diabetes classification and the metabolic syndrome definition were based on the criteria of the American Diabetes Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III, respectively. The mean serum OPG level was higher in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus than those without diabetes (4.33 ± 1.70 vs 3.84 ± 1.76 pmol/L, P = .016). In multiple logistic regression analysis, type 2 diabetes mellitus showed a significant association with serum OPG levels when adjustments were made for age, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and cardiovascular risk factors (odds ratio = 2.21; confidence interval, 1.34-3.66; P = .002). No significant difference was found between the mean serum OPG levels of those with the metabolic syndrome and those without the metabolic syndrome. Mean OPG levels did not differ significantly between subjects with and without hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, or abdominal obesity according to the National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. In conclusion, circulating OPG levels are significantly associated with diabetes, independent of cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. However, OPG levels have no correlation with the metabolic syndrome or its components. Further studies are warranted to determine the pathophysiologic origin of elevated OPG in type 2 diabetes mellitus.