Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 04, 2025 4 hours, 32 minutes ago
Medical News: Understanding the Connection Between COVID-19 and Bone Health
The impact of COVID-19 on the human body has been widely studied, with much focus placed on respiratory complications, immune responses, and long-term health implications. However, recent research has revealed another potential consequence of the disease - its effect on bone health. A team of researchers from IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio, Università degli Studi di Milano, and IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano have identified a novel biomarker, sCD14ST, which may provide valuable insight into how COVID-19 affects bone remodeling and fragility.
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New Biomarker Offers Insight into COVID19 Effects on Bone Health
How COVID-19 Influences Bone Remodeling
COVID-19 is primarily recognized as a respiratory illness, but emerging evidence suggests that it also affects the skeletal system. The virus triggers a heightened inflammatory response that can influence bone metabolism. This
Medical News report highlights that inflammation-induced bone loss is a growing concern, particularly among elderly patients and those with preexisting conditions such as osteoporosis. The newly identified biomarker, sCD14ST, has been shown to correlate with inflammatory markers and osteoimmunological regulators, suggesting that it plays a role in bone remodeling during and after COVID-19 infection.
The Study’s Objectives and Methodology
The research team conducted an observational study between April 2021 and April 2023 at the IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute. The study focused on patients undergoing orthopedic surgery who were either COVID-19-positive or COVID-19-negative. The researchers collected blood samples at different time points to measure serum levels of sCD14ST, along with other biomarkers such as RANKL/OPG, FGF23, IL-6, and SuPAR. By analyzing these markers, they aimed to evaluate how COVID-19 influences bone remodeling and to determine whether sCD14ST could serve as a reliable diagnostic and prognostic tool.
Key Findings of the Study
The results of the study showed that sCD14ST levels were significantly elevated in COVID-19-positive patients compared to COVID-19-negative patients. The levels decreased over time as the infection resolved, highlighting the biomarker’s potential role in monitoring disease progression. Moreover, sCD14ST demonstrated a stronger correlation with osteoimmunological markers than traditional inflammatory markers like CRP and PCT, which are commonly used in clinical settings.
The study also found a strong correlation between sCD14ST and the RANKL/OPG ratio, a key indicator of bone resorption. Increased levels of RANKL relative to OPG promote osteoclast activity, leading to greater bone loss. This suggests that COVID-19 may accelerate bone resorption, making individuals more susceptible to fractures and osteoporosis. Additionally, sCD14ST displayed a positive correlation with FGF23, a biomarker associated with bone fragility, and a negative correlation with sRAGE, an inflammatory prognostic marker.
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The Role of SuPAR in COVID-19 and Bone Health
The study further investigated the role of another biomarker, SuPAR, which reflects immune system activation. Similar to sCD14ST, SuPAR levels were significantly higher in COVID-19-positive patients and gradually decreased as the infection resolved. Importantly, SuPAR was also correlated with the RANKL/OPG ratio, indicating that it may be another useful biomarker in assessing COVID-19-induced bone fragility.
Implications for Future Research and Treatment
The findings of this study underscore the importance of monitoring bone health in COVID-19 patients, particularly those at risk of osteoporosis or fractures. The use of biomarkers such as sCD14ST and SuPAR could improve early diagnosis and management of bone-related complications associated with COVID-19. These biomarkers may also help guide therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing inflammation-induced bone loss.
Given the observed correlation between COVID-19, inflammation, and bone health, future research should focus on long-term studies to determine whether COVID-19 survivors experience lasting effects on their skeletal system. Additionally, investigating potential treatments that mitigate bone loss - such as anti-inflammatory drugs or osteoprotective therapies - could be beneficial in addressing the broader consequences of the disease.
Concluding Thoughts
This study highlights the growing field of osteoimmunology and its relevance in understanding how infectious diseases like COVID-19 impact bone health. By identifying sCD14ST as a potential biomarker for COVID-19-induced bone fragility, researchers have opened new avenues for both diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/3/979
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