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MicroRNA and Diabetic Bone Disease
Souad Daamouch1, Lejla Emini1, Martina Rauner1
1Department of Medicine III and Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Purpose Of Review:
The incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia, which in the long-term damages the function of many organs including the eyes, the vasculature, the nervous system, and the kidneys, thereby imposing an important cause of morbidity for affected individuals. More recently, increased bone fragility was also noted in patients with diabetes. While patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have low bone mass and a 6-fold risk for hip fractures, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased bone mass, yet still display a 2-fold elevated risk for hip fractures. Although the underlying mechanisms are just beginning to be unraveled, it is clear that diagnostic tools are lacking to identify patients at risk for fracture, especially in the case of T2DM, in which classical tools to diagnose osteoporosis such as dual X-ray absorptiometry have limitations. Thus, new biomarkers are urgently needed to help identify patients with diabetes who are at risk to fracture.
Recent Findings:
Previously, microRNAs have received great attention not only for being involved in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, but also for their value as biomarkers. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on microRNAs and their role in diabetic bone disease and highlight recent studies on miRNAs as biomarkers to predict bone fragility in T1DM and T2DM. Finally, we discuss future directions and challenges for their use as prognostic markers.
Insights
MicroRNAs show promise as biomarkers for predicting bone fragility in diabetes. Research highlights their role in diabetic bone disease, aiding in identifying at-risk patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Bone Biology and Disease
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus, characterized by hyperglycemia, is a growing global health concern.
- Long-term hyperglycemia leads to multi-organ damage, including kidneys, eyes, and vasculature.
- Increased bone fragility and fracture risk are increasingly recognized complications in diabetic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of diabetic bone disease.
- To summarize recent findings on microRNAs as potential biomarkers for bone fragility in diabetes.
- To identify diagnostic gaps for fracture risk assessment, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of microRNAs in diabetic bone disease.
- Analysis of recent studies investigating microRNAs as biomarkers for bone fragility.
- Discussion of current diagnostic limitations for osteoporosis in diabetic populations.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and diabetic bone disease.
- Emerging evidence supports the use of microRNAs as predictive biomarkers for fracture risk in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- Classical osteoporosis diagnostic tools like DXA have limitations in diabetic patients.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs represent a promising avenue for identifying patients with diabetes at risk of fracture.
- Further research is needed to validate microRNAs as reliable prognostic markers for diabetic bone disease.
- Development of novel biomarkers is crucial for improved fracture risk management in diabetes.
