Role of WNT signaling morphogenic proteins (sclerostin and β-catenin) in adipogenesis

Adipogenesis relies on complex and multi-faceted mechanism, as it is influenced by multiple cues, including the components from the WNT signaling pathway. The search for possible markers of developing metabolic diseases associated with obesity accounted for an interest to study the morphogenic proteins sclerostin and β-catenin. The aim of the study was to evaluate activity of the WNT signaling pathway in obese patients by measuring level of serum sclerostin and β-catenin proteins. Materials and Methods. There were enrolled 32 patients with metabolic syndrome featured with progressive forms of obesity (class I-III) lacking diabetes mellitus. Concentration of serum sclerostin and β-catenin was measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were presented as absolute and relative (%) number of patients; arithmetic mean; medians, 1 and 3 quartiles – Ме (Q_0.25-Q_0.75). In obese patients, serum sclerostin level (260 (230-308.75) pg/ml) was increased by 13.5% compared with healthy individuals (225 (220-230) pg/ml, (p < 0.001)); concentration of serum sclerostin tended to increase depending on obesity class, most in parallel with decreased β-catenin level, being in agreement with previous studies that might be considered as a prognostic criterion for assessing course of pathological process in obesity.