Evaluation of serum sclerostin level and its correlation with valvular calcification in haemodialysis patients

Abstract

There are many Wnt inhibitors. But Scl and DKK- are the most studied. Studies showed that Scl has specific regulatory actions, while DKK is more a pan-Wnt inhibitor compromising different Wnt pathways. Compared with DKK- , Scl obtained more interest in the cross talk within the bone- vascular system. It is one step ahead of DKK- . There is a discrepancy of studies involving the relation between Scl levels and CV mortality in CKD patients, with some investigators reporting better survival with high circulating Scl levels, and other reporting an inverse, or no association. This study evaluated HD patients in AL-sahel Nephrology and Dialysis Unit to search for possible relationship between serum sclerostin levels and cardiac valve calcification. Patients with age > years, rheumatic valvular disease, cardiomyopathy, prosthetic valves, ischemic heart disease were excluded.