The effect of single extremity-vibration on the serum sclerostin level

[Purpose] Sclerostin is mechanosensitive protein that is produced exclusively by osteocytes. It was reported that the plasma sclerostin level increases in the 10th minute after the application of Whole-Body Vibration. The aim of this study was to determine whether single extremity-vibration induces any change in the serum sclerostin level. [Subjects and Methods] Eight healthy young-adult volunteers were recruited for this pilot study. The participants sat on a chair with their left hip and knee joints flexed at 90 degrees. The lower leg was exposed to vibration: 40 Hz, 4 mm, 60 s. Blood samples were collected before and after the vibration. The serum sclerostin levels were blindly measured in dual-controlled blood samples. [Results] The serum sclerostin level before vibration was 328.2+/-589.9 pg/ml, and it showed no significant change after vibration. [Conclusion] Unlike Whole-Body Vibration, Single-Extremity Vibration did not affect the serum sclerostin level significantly. This finding can be explained by the limited bone volume exposed to vibration. Bone volume exposed to vibration is less during Single-Extremity Vibration than during Whole-Body Vibration.