Transforming growth factor‑β3 relation with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures

Background: The high socioeconomic impact of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture is due to their high mortality, morbidity, and disease‑related costs. Nowadays, bone mineral density (BMD) is a comparatively expensive way to diagnose and follow up patients with osteoporosis. Transforming growth factor‑β3 (TGF‑β3) is a protein categorized into cytokines. Some previous in vitro studies showed TGF‑β3 effects on osteocytes and bone formation. Therefore, we conducted this study to find if there is any significant relationship between TGF‑β3 and BMD results. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross‑sectional study conducted in 2017. We included individuals who had been referred from their physicians to undergo BMD dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry. Blood samples were taken from 150 participants for measuring TGF‑β3 with ELISA method. Results: The mean ± standard deviation of TGF‑β3 serum level was 79 ± 30.8 pg/ml (minimum 41 pg/ml and maximum 210 pg/ml). There was a statistically significant and direct proportional relationship between TGF‑β3 and T‑score as a marker for the diagnosis and follow‑up of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture (P = 0.001) (Pearson’s correlation = +0.95). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between TGF‑β3 serum level and BMD. TGF‑β3 serum level may be used as a marker for the diagnosis and follow‑up of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture.