The influence of partial gastrectomy on biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and bone density

Summary Since it has been suggested that gastric resections are followed by changes in bone metabolism, the aim of our study was to determine the biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and radial and lumbar bone density in 15 male ulcus patients treated by partial gastrectomy (Billroth II). Comparing the data with those of a corresponding control group, the lumbar bone density measured by quantitative computed tomography was statistically significantly lower (P < 0.04) in the patient group, whereas the peripheral bone mass of the distal part of the nondominant forearm measured by single-photon absorptiometry showed no statistically significant difference. In addition, a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.002) and urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (P < 0.003) was found in the gastrectomy group, whereas the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were found to be significantly decreased (P < 0.04). Osteocalcin, a biochemical marker for osteoblast activity, and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), a marker of collagen formation, were slightly but not significantly higher in gastrectomy-treated patients. The serum parathyroid hormone levels were similar in both groups. As none of the patients had any radiologic evidence of osteopenia, the changes in biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and bone mass in patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy could be a marker of latent bone loss.Abbreviations DPA/SPA dual/single-photon absorptiometry - BMD bone mineral density - QCT quantitative computed tomography - PICP carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen - 250HD₃ 25-hydroxy-vitamin D - iPTH parathyroid hormone - OC osteocalcin - BMC bone mineral content     

Decrease of bone formation in adult women with fragility fractures

Objectives: To compare bone mineral density (BMD) and some markers of bone metabolism in women with fragility fractures and in normal age-matched subjects. Methods: A 100 women with at least one vertebral deformity >25%, and 219 age-, BMI- and parity-matched healthy women, were recruited for the study. In all the patients fractures were symptomatic and occurred at least 1 year before densitometric measurement. Forearm bone mineral density (BMD) as well as biochemical assessment of some markers of bone turnover were measured in all the subjects. Results: BMD was significantly lower in the fracture than in the control group (0.326 ± 0.073 vs. 0.379 ± 0.079; P<0.001). Fractured women showed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) serum levels significantly lower than controls, while no differences were found in fasting urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretion. Women without fractures showed a significant correlation between ALP and both age and years since menopause (YSM). Such a correlation is lacking in the fracture group. Conclusions: Women with vertebral deformities likely due to a fracture had a forearm BMD and markers of bone formation lower than normal. Whether low bone density is due to a low peak of bone mass or to an increased postmenopausal bone loss sustained by an uncoupling between the two bone remodelling processes is still unclear.     

Determinants of one-year response of lumbar bone mineral density to alendronate treatment in elderly Japanese women with osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that could predict the one-year response of the lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) to alendronate treatment in elderly Japanese women with osteoporosis. Eighty-five postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, all of whom were between 55-88 years of age, were treated with alendronate (5 mg daily) for 12 months. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and urinary NTX levels were measured at the baseline and 6 months, and lumbar (L1-L4) BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the baseline and 12 months. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors that were correlated with the percent change in lumbar BMD at 12 months. Lumbar BMD increased by 8.1 % at 12 months with a reduction in the urinary NTX level by 51.0 % at 6 months. Baseline lumbar BMD (R2=0.226, p < 0.0001) and percent changes in serum ALP and urinary NTX levels (R2=0.044, p < 0.05 and R2=0.103, p < 0.001, respectively) had a negative correlation with the percent change in lumbar BMD at month 12, while the baseline number of prevalent vertebral fractures (R2=0.163, p < 0.001), serum ALP level, and urinary NTX level (R2=0.074, p < 0.05 and R2=0.160, p < 0.001, respectively) had a positive correlation with it. However, baseline age, height, body weight, body mass index, years since menopause, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and percent changes in serum calcium and phosphorus levels at 6 months did not have any significant correlation with the percent change in lumbar BMD at 12 months. These results suggest that lumbar BMD was more responsive to one-year of alendronate treatment in elderly osteoporotic Japanese women with lower lumbar BMD, more prevalent vertebral fractures, and higher bone turnover, who showed a greater decrease in bone turnover at 6 months, regardless of age, years since menopause, and physique. Alendronate may be efficacious in elderly Japanese women with evident osteoporosis that is associated with high bone turnover, and the percent changes in serum ALP and urinary NTX levels at 6 months could predict the one-year response of lumbar BMD to alendronate treatment.     

Evaluation of methods for prediction of bone mineral density by clinical and biochemical variables in perimenopausal women

Objectives: to predict spinal and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal women from simple clinical and biochemical variables. Methods: 2016 women 3–24 months past last menstrual bleeding. Mean age 50.1±2.8 years. Age, height, weight, number of full term pregnancies, weekly hours of physical activity, sunbathing habits, use of sun bed, daily intake of calcium and vitamin D, smoking habits, consumption of alcohol, coffee, and tea, history of forearm or femoral neck fractures among the parents, serum osteocalcin (S-OC), serum bone specific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and urine hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio (U-OHP) were used as predictors in three different mathematical models. Lumbar spine (L2–L4) and femoral neck BMD were measured by DEXA. Three mathematical models (multiple regression, logistic regression, and discriminant analysis) were applied. Results: the multiple regression explained 19–21% of the total variation, and the logistic regression and discriminant function had a sensitivity between 53 and 67% with specificity ranging from 67 to 80%. Age, S-OC, serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase, and a maternal history of forearm or femoral neck fractures seemed to be reproducible risk factors for low bone mineral density irrespective of the mathematical model applied. When applied to a separate population, the models performed poorly. Conclusions: Simple clinical and biochemical variables are not useful to predict spinal and femoral BMD in the individual perimenopausal woman.     

Spine and total body bone mineral density and serum testosterone levels in male athletes

Summary The aim of this study was to compare the effects of intense endurance vs strengthening exercise on bone mass and serum testosterone levels in male athletes. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the total body and spine and serum testosterone levels were measured in male rowers (n=12), triathletes (n=8) and sedentary controls (n=13). The total body scan also gave values for percentage body fat and regional bone densities. Calcium intake and physical activity levels were measured by questionnaire. The rowers had significantly higher BMD in the spine and total body than the triathletes (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively) and sedentary controls (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). There were no differences between the triathletes and controls. Serum testosterone levels were significantly lower in the triathletes than in the controls (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between the rowers and controls. All groups fell within the normal range for testosterone. In a step-wise multiple regression, including age, body mass, height, calcium intake and activity, no single factor had a significant effect on spine BMD. Body mass had a significant effect on total body BMD and could account for the differences between the groups. A significant positive correlation was found between calcium intake and total body BMD. The heavy weight training typical of rowing training seemed to result in significant bone accretion. The low testosterone levels in the triathletes may have negated any positive effect of the increased exercise on BMD.     

Bone mass and bone diminution of the axial and peripheral skeleton in normal and osteoporotic Austrian females.

Measurements of bone mass were performed in 133 healthy Austrian women using the quantitative computed tomography technique of the lumbar spine and single photon absorptiometry of the distal forearm. The data were compared with those of 110 Austrian females with osteoporotic spine fractures. A significant difference in mean bone density of the lumbar spine was observed between normal and osteoporotic patients in every decade, whereas forearm measurements showed statistical differences in the seventh and eighth decade but not in the sixth decade. Compared to age matched controls, bone mass of osteoporotic women showed the following diminution: sixth decade: distal forearm: -12.7%, spine: -46.8%; seventh decade: distal forearm: -19.0%, spine: -36.7%, eighth decade: distal forearm: -15.4%, spine: -33.7%. It appears that postmenopausal osteoporosis involves greater loss of bone in the spine in the first decade after menopause and slows down after this period, whereas loss of forearm bone mineral density (BMD) increases with advancing age.     

Relationship between vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and bone mineral density in elderly Koreans

There is controversy regarding definition of vitamin D inadequacy. We analyzed threshold 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) below which intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) increases, and examined age- and sex-specific changes of 25(OH)D and iPTH, and association of 25(OH)D and iPTH with bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly Koreans. Anthropometric parameters, serum 25(OH)D and iPTH, lumbar spine and femur BMD by dual-energy radiography absorptiometry (DXA) were measured in 441 men and 598 postmenopausal women. iPTH increased below serum 25(OH) of 36.7 ng/mL in men, but failed to reach plateau in women. Femur neck BMD above and below threshold differed when threshold 25(OH)D concentrations were set at 15-27.5 ng/mL in men, and 12.5-20 ng/mL in postmenopausal women. Vitamin D-inadequate individuals older than 75 yr had higher iPTH than those aged ≤ 65 yr. In winter, age-associated iPTH increase in women was steeper than in summer. In conclusion, vitamin D inadequacy threshold cannot be estimated based on iPTH alone, and but other factors concerning bone health should also be considered. Older people seemingly need higher 25(OH)D levels to offset age-associated hyperparathyroidism. Elderly vitamin D-inadequate women in the winter are most vulnerable to age-associated hyperparathyroidism.     

Bone mass and biochemical parameters in metabolic bone diseases

We studied the relationship between the bone mass and biochemical parameters in 175 normal premenopausal, 72 normal postmenopausal and osteoporotic postmenopausal women, between 20 and 88 years old, and in 40 patients with hyperthyroidism, and 23 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, between 13 and 64 years old. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine (L2-L4) and proximal femur (femoral neck) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry using a QDR-1000, Hologic. The bone mineral content (BMC) of the radius was measured by single photon absorptiometry (SPA) using a model 2780, Norland. Serum PTH, BGP and calcitonin (CT) were determined by radioimmunoassay. The BMD of the spine (L2-L4), and the proximal femur in postmenopausal women were negatively correlated with age. The mean BMD in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis was significantly lower than that in normal postmenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, age was positively correlated with BGP, PTH, CT and negatively correlated with P. In patients with osteoporosis, the BMD of the spine was negatively correlated with serum BGP. The BMC of radius in patients with hyperthyroidism decreased significantly compared with that in the controls, and was negatively correlated with F-T3. The BMC of the radius in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was significantly lower than that in the controls, and was negatively correlated with serum BGP and serum calcium. The measurements of biochemical parameters such as serum BGP, ALP and PTH may be useful in the assessment of metabolic bone diseases.     

Relationships between lumbar bone mineral density and biochemical parameters in phenylketonuria patients

BackgroundThe etiology of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in phenylketonuria (PKU) is unknown. Reduced BMD may be inherent to PKU and/or secondary to its dietary treatment.Materials and methodsLumbar BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 53 early and continuously treated PKU patients (median age 16, range 2–35 years). First, Z-scores of BMD were correlated to age group, clinical severity of PKU, mean phenylalanine (Phe) concentration and Phe variation in the year prior to DXA scanning, as well as to blood vitamin, mineral, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Second, parameters were compared between subjects with reduced BMD (Z-score < ? 2 SD) and subjects with normal BMD.ResultsBMD was significantly reduced in our cohort (p = 0.000). Z-scores of BMD were neither significantly correlated to age group, nor clinical severity of PKU. Both mean Phe concentration and Phe variation in the year prior to DXA scanning did not significantly correlate with Z-scores of BMD. Higher blood calcium concentrations were significantly associated with lower BMD (r² = ? 0.485, p = 0.004). Other biochemical parameters, including vitamin B12 availability markers, did not show significant correlations with Z-score of BMD. Subjects with reduced BMD had significantly higher blood phosphorus concentrations than subjects with normal BMD (p = 0.009). No other significant differences were found between both BMD groups.ConclusionReduced BMD in PKU is present from early age onward and does not progress with age. Therefore, BMD deserves attention from early age onward in PKU patients. Our findings are consistent with increased bone turnover in PKU. It remains unclear whether reduced BMD is inherent to PKU and/or secondary to its dietary treatment.     

High Serum Osteopontin Levels Are Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic, noncollagenous matrix protein produced by the bone and kidneys. It is reportedly involved in bone resorption and formation. We examined the association between serum OPN levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women (n=32) and postmenopausal women (n=409) participated in the study. We measured serum osteopontin levels and their relationships with bone mineral density and previous total fragility fractures. The postmenopausal women had higher mean serum OPN levels compared to the premenopausal women (43.6±25.9 vs 26.3±18.6 ng/mL; P<0.001). In the postmenopausal women, high serum OPN levels were negatively correlated with mean lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) (r=-0.113, P=0.023). In a stepwise multiple linear regression model, serum OPN levels were associated with BMD of the spine, femoral neck, and total hip after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, and physical activity in postmenopausal women. However, serum OPN levels did not differ between postmenopausal women with and without fractures. Postmenopausal women exhibit higher serum OPN levels than premenopausal women and higher serum OPN levels were associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women.     

Association of polymorphisms of the androgen receptor and klotho genes with bone mineral density in Japanese women

Genetic variants of the androgen receptor and klotho protein may contribute to variation in bone mass as well as to predisposition to osteoporosis. The relationship of a CAG repeat polymorphism of the androgen receptor gene (AR) and of a –395GA polymorphism of the klotho gene (KL) to bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese women was examined in a population-based study. The subjects (1,101 and 1,110 women for AR and KL polymorphisms, respectively) were aged 40–79 years and were randomly recruited to a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases. BMD for the total body, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, right trochanter, and right Wards triangle was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genotypes for the AR and KL polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction based assays. The number of CAG repeats of AR was inversely correlated with BMD for the lumbar spine in premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women. The (CAG)_n22 and (CAG)_n23 alleles were designated S and L, respectively. Among premenopausal women, BMD for the total body was significantly lower in subjects with the LL genotype than in those with the SS genotype or those in the combined group of SS and SL genotypes. In contrast, BMD was not associated with AR genotype in postmenopausal women. Among all women, BMD for the lumbar spine was significantly lower in subjects with the GG genotype of the –395GA polymorphism of KL than in those with the AA genotype. BMD was not associated with –395GA genotype among premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, BMD for the total body or lumbar spine tended to be lower in subjects with the GG genotype than in those with the AA genotype or those in the combined group of GA and AA genotypes. These results suggest that AR is a susceptibility gene for reduced BMD in premenopausal Japanese women, and that KL is a susceptibility gene for reduced BMD in all women.     

绝经后妇女骨质疏松患者血清IGF-1、IGFBP-3与骨密度及骨代谢指标的关系

目的： 探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）和胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3（IGFBP-3）与绝经后妇女骨密度及骨代谢指标之间的关系。方法： 通过检测90例绝经后妇女骨质疏松患者及70例绝经后骨量正常的健康对照组血清IGF-1、IGFBP-3、骨钙素（BGP）、I型胶原异构C端肽（β-CTX）、雌激素（E₂）、降钙素（CT）、甲状旁腺激素（PTH）、钙（Ca）、磷（P）等指标，然后同用双能X线骨密度仪检测的两组研究对象的腰椎（L2-L4）侧位、左股骨颈骨密度进行比较。结果： 绝经后骨质疏松组妇女腰椎、股骨颈骨密度显著低于对照组（均P<0.01）；血清IGF-1、IGFBP-3、E₂、CT、BGP水平均低于对照组（均P<0.01）；血清β-CTX、PTH均高于对照组（均P<0.01），血清Ca、P两组之间无差异（均P>0.05）。骨质疏松组和对照组腰椎侧位、左股骨颈BMD均与IGF-1、IGFBP-3、E₂、BGP、CT水平呈正相关，与β-CTX、PTH水平呈负相关，而与血钙、血磷无明显关系。结论： IGF-1、IGFBP-3、E₂、BGP、CT、β-CTX、PTH血清水平与腰椎、左股骨质具有明显的相关性，通过检测上述指标可考虑作为筛查绝经后妇女是否容易患有骨质疏松症的一项有价值的生化参考指标。     

Quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in a Korean population: reference data and relationship to bone mineral density determined by peripheral dual X-ray absorptiometry

The aim of this study was to establish reference data for the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus and for the bone mineral densities (BMD) of the calcaneus and distal forearm, and to evaluate the correlation between QUS parameters and BMD in a Korean population. We performed a cross-sectional study involving 3,053 subjects (1,225 men and 1,828 women). QUS was conducted on the calcaneus and was quantified as speed of sound (SOS, m/sec), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB/MHz), and stiffness index. The BMD of the calcaneus and distal forearm were measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. The peak mean values for the QUS parameters occurred in the 20 to 29-yr-old subjects of both sexes, with the exception of the BUA, which reached the highest values in women of 30-39 yr. For both sexes, the mean BMD of the calcaneus was highest in those 20-29 yr old and that of the distal forearm was highest in those 40-49 yr old. The correlations between the QUS and BMD results were found to be 0.41 to 0.73 in men and 0.51 to 0.76 in women. Theses data can serve as a reference values for both sexes in Korea.     

Nutritional Status of Vitamin D and the Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in Korean Breast-fed Infants

We investigated the vitamin D status and the effect of vitamin D supplementation in Korean breast-fed infants. The healthy term newborns were divided into 3 groups; A, formula-fed; B, breast-fed only; S, breast-fed with vitamin D supplementation. We measured serum concentrations of vitamin D (25OHD3), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (AP), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and bone mineral density (BMD) at 6 and 12 months of age. Using questionnaires, average duration of sun-light exposure and dietary intake of vitamin D, Ca and P were obtained. At 6 and 12 months of age, 25OHD3 was significantly higher in group S than in group B (P<0.001). iPTH was significantly lower in group S than in group B at 6 months (P=0.001), but did not differ at 12 months. Regardless of vitamin D supplementation, BMD was lower in group B and S than in group A (P<0.05). Total intake of vitamin D differed among 3 groups (P<0.001, A>S>B), but total intake of Ca and P were higher in group A than in group B and S (P<0.001). In conclusion, breast-fed infants show lower vitamin D status and bone mineralization than formula-fed infants. Vitamin D supplementation (200 IU/day) in breast-fed infants increases serum 25-OH vitamin D₃, but not bone mineral density.     

Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Klinefelter Syndrome

Purpose

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is related to testicular insufficiency, which causes low testosterone levels in serum. Generally, sex hormone levels and bone mineral density (BMD) are lower in patients with KS than normal. We investigated the effects of testosterone replacement on serum testosterone levels and BMD in KS patients.

Materials and Methods

From December 2005 to March 2008, 18 KS patients with a 47, XXY karyotype were treated with initial intramuscular injections of long-acting testosterone undecanoate (Nebido®, 1000 mg/4 mL) at baseline and second injections after six weeks. An additional four injections were administered at intervals of 12 weeks after the second injection. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (L2-4), the left femoral neck and Ward''s triangle, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Medical histories, physical examinations and prostate specific antigen, hematology and serum chemistry were conducted for each patient. In addition, total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels were measured.

Results

Following testosterone replacement, mean serum total testosterone increased significantly from baseline (0.90 vs. 4.51 ng/mL, p<0.001), and total testosterone rose to normal levels after replacement in all patients. The mean BMD of the lumbar spine increased significantly (0.91 vs. 0.97 g/cm², p<0.001). Similar increases of BMD were also observed at the femoral neck, but this increase was not significant.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may be effective in treating BMD deficiency in men with testosterone deficiency, especially those with Klinefelter syndrome.     

绝经妇女血清睾酮和前臂骨密度之间的相关性

目的 :为了研究绝经后妇女的雄激素水平与骨密度之间的关系。方法 :测定了 39例从未服用过雌激素和钙剂 ,其血清雌激素水平基本相同 ,但骨密度水平有一定差异的绝经后妇女的血清睾酮水平 ,并将这些妇女依骨密度水平分为正常和骨质疏松两个组。结果 :经过统计学分析 ,发现两组血清睾酮水平有非常显著的差异 (p <0 0 0 1)。经过直线回归计算和相关分析 ,发现两个组的睾酮和各自匹配的骨密度水平呈平行变化 ,线性关系良好 ,相关系数分别为 0 72及 0 75。经相关检验 ,两个p <0 0 0 1,有高度相关。将两r值进一步进行显著性检验 ,U值为 0 14,说明两组的正相关关系无显著性差异 (p>0 0 5 )。结论 :血清睾酮水平低与骨密度与骨质疏松密切相关。     

骨密度定量检测方法及性能比较

随着人口老龄化,骨质疏松症已成为世界各国关注的公共健康问题.目前,骨密度的定量检测是诊断骨质疏松症的最好方法,正日益受到医学临床重视.综述了现有临床采用的X线照相或X光片密度测量、单光子和单能X线吸收测量法、双能光子和双能X线吸收法、定量CT或定量超声或定量磁共振成像（MRI）技术等主要的骨密度定量检测方法的原理,并分析比较其优缺点.     

Comparative evaluation of serum levels of main minerals and postmenopausal osteoporosis

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between serum main minerals and postmenopausal osteoporosis.Study designA total of 728 postmenopausal women were included in this study. Women were separated into two groups according to presence or absence of osteoporosis (OP). BMD was measured in total femur (TF), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (L1–L4) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Risk factors for OP were recorded by using a structured questionnaire.Main outcome measuresWomen's blood were collected and serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus were measured.ResultsLow serum copper levels were significantly associated with OP according to BMD values for TF, FN and L1–L4. There was a significant relationship between low serum zinc levels and OP for L1–L4 spines. Low iron serum levels were also significantly associated with OP in BMD measurements of TF. Low serum magnesium levels had significant association with OP of L1–L4 spines and TF. Serum levels of calcium, ionized calcium, potassium, sodium and inorganic phosphorus were not associated with OP.ConclusionsIn postmenopausal women, the low serum levels of copper, zinc, iron and magnesium appear to be an important risk factor for OP.     

Elevated tryptase levels are associated with greater bone density in a cohort of patients with mastocytosis

BACKGROUND: Mastocytosis is associated with a pathological increase in tissue mast cells. Associated skeletal problems include a decrease in bone density and pathological fractures. METHODS: In order to explore the relationship between bone density and the severity of mastocytosis, 21 patients with mastocytosis who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were entered into this study. Correlation coefficients were computed between Z-scores and demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Femoral neck Z-scores correlated with serum tryptase levels when all the patients were considered (p=0.029). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Patients with less severe disease had significantly lower values at the L1-L4 spine (p=0.046) and femoral neck (p=0.029) Z-scores compared to patients with more severe disease. Most patients who had low Z-scores (between -1 and -2.5) were under 50 years of age, had less severe disease and had lower serum tryptase levels. A history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and a history of hypotensive episodes correlated with lower L1-L4 spine Z-scores (p<0.05). Thus, patients with less severe disease and lower serum tryptase levels should in particular have their bone density determined with treatment appropriate to the findings.     

Higher habitual sodium intake is not detrimental for bones in older women with adequate calcium intake

Based on the calciuric effect of sodium (Na), it has been speculated, although not proven, that higher Na intake might have a detrimental effect on bone health. The objective was to determine the relationship between Na intake (expressed as urinary Na) and bone mineral density/content (BMD/BMC) during a 3-year study. Participants were healthy, postmenopausal, Caucasian women (n = 136 at baseline) with no medications affecting bone. After baseline screening, half were instructed to reduce sodium intake to ~1,500 mg/day (intervention). The other half remained on habitual intake of ~3,000 mg/day (control). All subjects were given calcium and vitamin D supplements to achieve recommended levels. Anthropometries, densitometry, blood and 24-h urine analyses, and dietary and activity records were assessed every 6 months. Data were analyzed as a continuum, irrespective of the initial assignment to a control or intervention group, using random effects regressions with repeated measures analysis of variance to examine changes over time. Results showed that subjects with higher Na intake had higher BMD in the forearm and spine at baseline and all subsequent time-points (p < 0.01). In the forearm, time and higher urinary calcium modified results, producing a curvilinear decrease in BMD (p < 0.01). In the spine, more active individuals had higher BMD at all time-points. We conclude that higher sodium intake, within the range consumed, had a positive effect on some skeletal sites and no adverse effect on bone in women who had adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.