The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers

Abstract Background Zinc (Zn) levels are reportedly lower in osteoporosis patients and may be linked to bone health. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have also been implicated in the regulation of bone remodeling. This study aims to investigate the role of selected miRNAs and their potential interplay with Zn in...

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Main Authors: Parastoo Karimi, Mohammad Reza Mirzaei, Farzaneh Arami, Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi, Mitra Abbasifard, Saeed Mohammadi-Hosseinabad, Zahra Jalali, Mehdi Mahmoodi, Mohammad Reza Hajizadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08970-9
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author Parastoo Karimi
Mohammad Reza Mirzaei
Farzaneh Arami
Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi
Mitra Abbasifard
Saeed Mohammadi-Hosseinabad
Zahra Jalali
Mehdi Mahmoodi
Mohammad Reza Hajizadeh
author_facet Parastoo Karimi
Mohammad Reza Mirzaei
Farzaneh Arami
Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi
Mitra Abbasifard
Saeed Mohammadi-Hosseinabad
Zahra Jalali
Mehdi Mahmoodi
Mohammad Reza Hajizadeh
author_sort Parastoo Karimi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Zinc (Zn) levels are reportedly lower in osteoporosis patients and may be linked to bone health. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have also been implicated in the regulation of bone remodeling. This study aims to investigate the role of selected miRNAs and their potential interplay with Zn in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Methods In this case-control study, 50 patients with osteoporosis and 50 healthy controls were recruited. The serum transcript levels of miRNAs were assessed using Real-time PCR. Results Levels of Zn was significantly (P = 0.0047) lower in the serum samples from osteoporosis patients in comparison to the healthy controls. The transcript level of miR-34a-5p (Fold change = 2.59, P = 0.008) and miR-335-5p (Fold change = 1.90, P = 0.013) was upregulated significantly in the serum samples of patients with osteoporosis compared to that of the healthy controls. Zn level in osteoporosis patients had significant negative correlation with transcript levels of miR-335-5p (r= -0.24, P = 0.037). Zn level had positive correlation with Z and T-scores and BMD of hip, spine, and femur. A negative correlation (r= -0.28 P = 0.044) was detected between transcript level of miR-34a-5p and femur BMD. There was a significant negative correlation between transcript level of miR-335-5p and hip BMD (r= -0.19 P = 0.038). miR-34a-5p and miR-335-5p showed diagnostic potential. Conclusions The findings suggest a potential interplay between Zn and miRNAs in the regulation of bone metabolism in osteoporosis patients. Zn and miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for bone health and a therapeutic target in osteoporosis management.
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spelling doaj-art-c89bb839f766494e82827c68bac7910c2025-08-20T03:04:15ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-08-0126111010.1186/s12891-025-08970-9The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markersParastoo Karimi0Mohammad Reza Mirzaei1Farzaneh Arami2Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi3Mitra Abbasifard4Saeed Mohammadi-Hosseinabad5Zahra Jalali6Mehdi Mahmoodi7Mohammad Reza Hajizadeh8Molecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesMolecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesMolecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesImmunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesMolecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesMolecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesMolecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Zinc (Zn) levels are reportedly lower in osteoporosis patients and may be linked to bone health. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have also been implicated in the regulation of bone remodeling. This study aims to investigate the role of selected miRNAs and their potential interplay with Zn in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Methods In this case-control study, 50 patients with osteoporosis and 50 healthy controls were recruited. The serum transcript levels of miRNAs were assessed using Real-time PCR. Results Levels of Zn was significantly (P = 0.0047) lower in the serum samples from osteoporosis patients in comparison to the healthy controls. The transcript level of miR-34a-5p (Fold change = 2.59, P = 0.008) and miR-335-5p (Fold change = 1.90, P = 0.013) was upregulated significantly in the serum samples of patients with osteoporosis compared to that of the healthy controls. Zn level in osteoporosis patients had significant negative correlation with transcript levels of miR-335-5p (r= -0.24, P = 0.037). Zn level had positive correlation with Z and T-scores and BMD of hip, spine, and femur. A negative correlation (r= -0.28 P = 0.044) was detected between transcript level of miR-34a-5p and femur BMD. There was a significant negative correlation between transcript level of miR-335-5p and hip BMD (r= -0.19 P = 0.038). miR-34a-5p and miR-335-5p showed diagnostic potential. Conclusions The findings suggest a potential interplay between Zn and miRNAs in the regulation of bone metabolism in osteoporosis patients. Zn and miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for bone health and a therapeutic target in osteoporosis management.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08970-9ZincMicroRNABone metabolismOsteoporosis
spellingShingle Parastoo Karimi
Mohammad Reza Mirzaei
Farzaneh Arami
Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi
Mitra Abbasifard
Saeed Mohammadi-Hosseinabad
Zahra Jalali
Mehdi Mahmoodi
Mohammad Reza Hajizadeh
The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Zinc
MicroRNA
Bone metabolism
Osteoporosis
title The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
title_full The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
title_fullStr The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
title_full_unstemmed The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
title_short The role of serum zinc and MicroRNAs in osteoporosis: insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
title_sort role of serum zinc and micrornas in osteoporosis insights into bone metabolism and potential diagnostic markers
topic Zinc
MicroRNA
Bone metabolism
Osteoporosis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08970-9
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