Osteopontin as a Marker in Thyroid Diseases and Its Relation to Vascular Affection in These Patients.

Abstract

Background: Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine problems worldwide. With a prevalence rate of 5%-10%. Osteopontin (OPN) is a plasma marker that implicated in many diseases and has been found to be involved in numerous pathological conditions, such as inflammation, angiogenesis, fibrogenesis, biomineralization, cell viability and wound healing.

Aim: To measure the osteopontin level in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and assess its relationship with plasma lipid levels and carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT).

Methodology: Ninety subjects from Kasr - Aainy Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic were divided into 3 groups. Group (1) included 30 hypothyroid patients. Group (2) included 30 hyperthyroid patients and group (3) included 30 healthy controls. Lipid profiles, thyroid profile (TSH, FT4, FT3) and OPN level were analyzed, and carotid IMT was assessed.

Results: The mean OPN level was significantly lower in the hypothyroid group (P< 0.001) and greater in the hyperthyroid group (P < 0.001).  There was a negative correlation between OPN and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and a positive correlation between FT3 and FT4 levels. A negative correlation was found between OPN and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol and TGs levels (P <0.001), and positive correlation between OPN and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the hypothyroid group (P value <0.001). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the OPN level and the IMT.

Conclusions: Alterations in thyroid function and lipid profile cause changes in serum OPN level with no effect on IMT.