Evaluation of bone metabolism and bone mass in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

The objectives of this study were to determine whether type-2 diabetes was associated with a higher bone mineral density (BMD) in men and women and to evaluate the differences in mineral metabolism between diabetic and normal subjects by using biochemical bone turnover markers. In this study, 52 patients (37 females/15 males) aged 41-64 with type-2 diabetes mellitus and 48 nondiabetic control subjects (34 females/14 males) were evaluated. In men, BMD was significantly higher in diabetics at the forearm (p <0.05), whereas in women tended to be higher at the hip (p=0.002). Serum osteocalcin (p<0.0001), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) (p<0.05) and carboxyterminal telopeptide (CTx) (p<0.05) were higher in the control group than in diabetics. In men, serum osteocalcin (p<0.05) and CTx (p<0.005) and, in women, serum osteocalcin (p<0.0001) and BAP (p<0.05) were lower in diabetic subjects. In conclusion, our findings suggest that although bone formation is decreased in type-2 diabetes, diabetic patients are not susceptible to bone resorption. This low bone turnover can slow the rate of bone loss and cause a higher bone density than expected for their age.     

甲状腺功能亢进患者骨代谢指标和甲状腺激素水平变化及其临床意义

为探讨甲状腺功能亢进(甲亢)患者骨代谢指标与甲状腺激素水平的变化, 本文对70例甲亢患者及60名健康对照者采用放射免疫分析法(RIA)测定了Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽(ICTP), 全自动微粒子化学发光分析法测定了骨碱性磷酸酶(BAP)及甲状腺激素(T3、T4、FT3、FT4)水平, 同时用二维骨密度仪测定骨密度(BMD).结果表明: 甲亢患者血清BAP、ICTP与甲状腺激素水平均明显高于健康对照组(P均小于0.01), 骨密度(BMD)则显著低于健康对照组(P＜0.01).相关分析显示, 甲亢患者血清BAP、ICTP水平与BMD呈明显负相关(r分别为-0.298和-0.276, P＜0.05), 与T3呈正相关(r分别为0.452和0.531,P＜0.01), 与T4亦呈正相关(r分别为0.419和0.398, P＜0.01).提示甲亢患者骨转换增强, 并以骨吸收增加更为显著, 与甲亢时甲状腺激素分泌过多有关. 定量检测血清BAP、ICTP水平对于甲亢代谢性骨病的诊断、病情研究均有重要的临床价值.     

Predictors of bone disease in Egyptian prepubertal children with β-thalassaemia major

Introduction

Thalassaemic osteopathy is a multifactorial disorder and limited information exists about bone accrual and bone mineral density (BMD) in prepubertal thalassaemic children. The study aimed to investigate some potential genetic and biochemical bone markers as possible early predictors of BMD variations in children with β-thalassaemia major (TM) before puberty.

Material and methods

Thirt-one prepubertal children with β-TM, and 43 matched controls were subjected to BMD assessment by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms (Bsm1, Fok1) and the biochemical bone markers serum osteocalcin and propeptide I procollagen (CPIP) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) excretion were assessed.

Results

Bone mineral density was reduced in 25% of thalassaemics at the spine and 15.4% at the hip region. Significantly higher levels of urinary DPD and lower serum osteocalcin and CPIP levels were found in the studied thalassaemic children compared to controls (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was present between BMD in spine and hip and the patients’ age (r = −0.6367, p = 0.0002 and r = −0.616, p = 0.00079, respectively). There was a significant reduction in BMD in males compared to females. Reduced BMD was more frequent in male patients with genotypes bb and Ff but not in females. Bone mineral density was not related to the studied biochemical bone markers, mean pre-transfusion haemoglobin or serum ferritin.

Conclusions

Routine BMD screening with DEXA is proposed to be a sensitive predictor for early bone changes, particularly at the lumbar spine. DR gene polymorphisms of Bsm1 and Fok1 polymorphisms may be determinants of BMD in Egyptian prepubertal male thalassemics     

Reduced bone mass detected by bone quantitative ultrasonometry and DEXA in pre- and postmenopausal women with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism

BACKGROUND: Although overt hyperthyroidism is a well known cause of bone loss, systemic effects of subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) are still a matter of debate. Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effect of endogenous SH on bone in relation to the menopausal status. METHODS: Bone mass and turnover were assessed in a group of 60 patients with endogenous SH due to multinodular goitre; 30 of them were premenopausal and 30 early postmenopausal (mean age, 40.9 +/- 7.3 and 57.7 +/- 6.75, respectively). Sixty healthy women matched for age-, BMI- and menopausal status served as controls. Three different skeletal sites were evaluated using two different techniques: lumbar spine and femoral neck were assessed by DEXA whereas the proximal phalanges were evaluated by quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS), measuring the amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS). Serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were also determined as markers of bone turnover. RESULTS: A significant decrease was found in femoral BMD (P < 0.05) and phalangeal Ad-SoS (P < 0.001) in pre- and postmenopausal patients compared to controls, being greater in those postmenopausal. Lumbar BMD was decreased only in postmenopausal patients (P < 0.05). Bone turnover markers were higher in patients than in controls and in post- than in the premenopausal ones. A significant negative correlation was found between femoral BMD, Ad-SoS and serum free T3 levels, the latter considered a marker of disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in bone turnover markers and a decrease in bone mass was found in women affected by endogenous SH, being greater in early postmenopausal patients. Cortical rich bone was mainly affected. Both QUS and the conventional DEXA technique were equally able to determine bone density decrease related to mild thyroid hormone excess and sexual hormone decrease.     

糖尿病微血管病患者骨密度及骨钙素测定的意义

目的：探讨糖尿病微血管病变对骨密度及骨钙素水平的影响。方法：选择2型糖尿病患者60例，按其是否合并糖尿病微血管病(眼病、肾病、神经病变)分为两组，合并微血管病(1组)33例，不合并微血管病(2组)27例。用生化法测定两组的空腹血糖(FBG）、果糖胺(GSP)、血清总碱性磷酸酶(TALP)及血钙(Ca^2 )，RIA测定骨钙素(BGP)，DEXA法测定腰椎和髋部骨密度(BMC)；按其身高、体重计算体重指数(BMI)。结果：两组BBMI、GSP、TALP及Ca^2 均未见明显差异；1组血清BGP水平明显低于2组，有显著性差异；1组第2—4腰椎（L2-4)、股骨颈、Ward’s三角区及股骨大转子的BMD均低于2组，差异有显著性。结论：骨密度及骨钙素与糖尿病微血管病变关系密切。认为糖尿病微血管病可能降低骨形成，加重骨质疏松。     

Variable bone mass recovery in hyperthyroid bone disease after radioiodine therapy in postmenopausal patients

OBJECTIVES: Long-term follow-up of postmenopausal hyperthyroid females after radioiodine therapy, since hyperthyroidism is known to cause impressive bone loss which may increase the risk of bone fractures. METHODS: Bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical parameters of bone metabolism in hyperthyroid postmenopausal patients were investigated before and 2 years after radioiodine therapy and compared with euthyroid age-matched controls. RESULTS: At baseline, the incidence of low BMD with t-scores more than 2.5 S.D. below normal was significantly higher in hyperthyroid patients (54%) than in controls (20%, P<0.001). Regardless of initial BMD values, osteocalcin (OC) was also higher in all hyperthyroid patients (P<0.0001). After 2 years, all treated patients were euthyroid and OC levels were in the upper normal range. In hyperthyroid patients with initially low BMD, bone density values had increased significantly by +6.5% (P<0.008) as compared with baseline values. In contrast, hyperthyroid patients with initially normal BMD showed a further decrease in lumbar BMD values of -4.3% despite radioiodine treatment. BMD in euthyroid controls decreased by -6.5% within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hyperthyroid postmenopausal patients with generally increased bone turnover may show individual differences in bone loss and BMD recovery after radioiodine treatment. The mechanisms for this variable manifestation of osteoporosis have still to be elucidated, since this has implications for prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in these elderly patients.     

Bone resorption versus estrogen loss following oophorectomy and menopause

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if menopause and oophorectomy may represent different risk factors for bone resorption/loss. METHODS: The urinary levels of pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (D-pyr), the serum levels of type I carboxy-terminal pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide (ICTP), and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), were compared in 80 Japanese women after menopause or oophorectomy. These women were divided into four groups of 20 women each as follows: early postmenopausal stage (early physiologic menopause < 3 years before study entry); late postmenopausal stage (physiologic menopause > or = 3 years before study entry); early postoophorectomy stage (oophorectomy < or = 03 years before study entry); or late oophorectomy stage (oophorectomy > 3 years before study entry). RESULTS: Lumbar BMD was significantly lower in the late groups compared to their respective early groups and was lowest in the late postoophorectomy group. The ratio of D-pyr/creatinine (Cr) was not significantly different among the four groups. The ratio of Pyr/Cr was significantly higher in the early postoophorectomy subjects compared with either late group. The serum level of ICTP was significantly higher in the early postoophorectomy group compared to all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that serum ICTP may be useful in detecting changes in bone resorption after oophorectomy and that women are at greater risk for bone resorption after oophorectomy than after physiologic menopause, although this difference appears to diminish with time.     

Osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphatase in the serum of women with liver disease

To identify the types of liver disease in which osteopenia is a prominent feature and to understand the mechanisms of bone loss, bone mineral density was measured in the lumbar spine and hip, bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and biochemical markers of calcium homeostasis were measured in 42 women, aged 33 to 52, with chronic liver disease and in 299 healthy women of similar age. In control women, bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin correlated negatively with bone density at all sites (p less than 0.05). In women with liver disease, osteocalcin correlated negatively with bone density in the lumbar spine (p less than 0.007), whereas bone alkaline phosphatase did not correlate with bone density at any site. Bone alkaline phosphatase correlated positively with osteocalcin in control women (p = 0.001) and negatively with osteocalcin in women with liver disease (p = 0.03). Serum bone alkaline phosphatase in women with liver disease was increased significantly over serum bone alkaline phosphatase of control women, probably because of decreased clearance owing to defective function or decreased numbers of hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors. Bone density was lower in the lumbar spines and hips of women with primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and chronic active hepatitis or fibrosis without cirrhosis than in the lumbar spine and hips of control women. However, the differences were not significant, possibly because of the small sample size. It is concluded that, in liver disease, osteocalcin is a more reliable marker of osteoblastic function than bone alkaline phosphatase. Although our results show that bone density may decrease in women with cholestatic liver disease, larger studies are needed to determine the degree of osteopenia.     

Prevention of postmenopausal bone loss by pulsed estrogen therapy: comparison with transdermal route

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of pulsed estrogen therapy following intranasal 17beta-estradiol (E2) (S21400) with patch E2 in preventing postmenopausal bone loss and on bone turnover. METHODS: In this multinational open study, 361 postmenopausal women aged 51.5 (S.D. 4.6) years were treated with S21400 300 microg per day or patch E2 (delivering 50 microg per day), two patches per week, for 56 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at the spine and hip using dual X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and week 56 (W56). Bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, urinary type I collagen C-telopeptides) were measured at baseline and weeks 12, 28 and 56. RESULTS: Spine and hip bone mineral density significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.001 versus baseline). Mean (S.D.) percent increases were 2.1 (3.0) at the spine (both groups), and 1.2 (2.4) and 1.1 (2.2) at the hip in the S21400 and patch E2 groups, respectively. Bone mineral density also significantly increased (P < 0.001 versus baseline) in osteopenic patients following S21400 and patch E2: 3.1 (3.5) and 2.4 (3.5) at the spine, and 2.0 (2.6) and 1.2 (2.7) at the hip, respectively. Bone metabolism was normalized at week 56 with a significant decrease (P < 0.001) from baseline in all markers: 56% and 53% for type I collagen C-telopeptides, and 24% and 25% for osteocalcin in the S21400 and patch E2 groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pulsed estrogen therapy was as effective in normalizing bone turnover and preventing postmenopausal bone loss as a reservoir patch.     

Pueraria mirifica, a phytoestrogen-rich herb, prevents bone loss in orchidectomized rats

OBJECTIVE: Estrogens and estrogen-like substances have been reported to play an important role in male bone homeostasis and to prevent bone loss. Pueraria mirifica (Leguminosae), a Thai herbal plant, containing a high amount of phytoestrogens was a choice of interest for this study. We examined the effects of crude P. mirifica on bone loss and influences on reproductive organs in male rats. METHODS: Using fully mature and orchidectomized (ORX) rats, the effects of 0, 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kgB.W./day of P. mirifica and 0.1mg/kg B.W./day of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (a positive control) were evaluated on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) measured with a peripheral Quantitative Computerized Tomography (pQCT) densitometry. RESULTS: Bone loss in trabecular and cortical bones of the various sites of axial bone (fourth lumbar vertebral body) and long bones (tibia and femur) after ORX was dose-dependently prevented by P. mirifica. The effects were specific on bone types and sites. The weights of the accessory sex organs, seminal vesicle and ventral prostrate gland, which significantly decreased after 3-month of ORX, were not altered by P. mirifica. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that P. mirifica treatment may be useful to prevent an osteoporosis in elderly hypogonadism subjects without influences on reproductive organs.     

Bone mineral density-affecting genes in Africans

BACKGROUND: We have recently reported the role of environmental exposure in the ethnic diversity of bone mineral density (BMD). Potential genetic difference has not been adequately assessed. PURPOSE: To determine allele frequencies of BMD-affecting genes and their association with BMD in Africans. METHODS: Allele frequencies at 18 polymorphic sites in 13 genes that affect BMD in Asians and/or Caucasians were determined in 143 recent immigrants (55 men and 88 women, 18-51 years of age) from sub-Saharan Sudan to the United States. Genetic association studies were performed. RESULTS: Among the 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 10 were significantly different in allele frequency between Sudanese and Asians, and 10 between Sudanese and Caucasians. Only the osteocalcin gene was not significantly different in allele frequency among Sudanese, Asians and Caucasians. Allele frequencies in the TGFB, COL1A1 and CSR genes were extremely low (<0.04) in the Sudanese. Frequencies of microsatellite alleles in four genes were significantly different among Sudanese, Asians and Caucasians. SNPs in the VDR and ERalpha genes were associated with BMD and/or BMC (bone mineral content) at several bone sites. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic difference may play a role in the ethnic diversity in BMD and/or BMC.     

糖尿病相关骨转换指标研究进展

骨质疏松症是糖尿病常见并发症之一,也是影响糖尿病患者生存质量及寿命的主要原因.骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)测定是早期诊断骨质疏松的标准,然而,一些BMD正常的潜在骨质疏松患者易被忽略.因此,寻找敏感性和特异性更高的骨代谢标志物来预测早期骨代谢异常具有重要意义.     

Does apolipoprotein E genotype relate to BMD and bone markers in postmenopausal women?

OBJECTIVES: Bone mineral density (BMD) and development of osteoporosis are partly determined by genetic factors. The associations between one of suggested candidate, apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotype to bone mineral density (BMD) and bone biochemical markers was studied in 464 subjects recruited from a population-based group of early postmenopausal women (n = 13100). Additionally, the influence of apo E genotype on BMD changes during a 5-year follow-up with or without hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was investigated. METHODS: Participants were randomized into two treatment groups: HRT group: Sequential combination of 2 mg estradiol valerate and 1 mg cyproterone acetate with or without vitamin D3, 100-300 IU/day + calcium lactate, 500 mg/day (n = 232), and the non-HRT group: Calcium lactate, 500 mg/day alone or in combination with vitamin D3, 100-300 IU/day (n = 232). BMD was measured from the lumbar spine and proximal femur at baseline and after 5 years of treatment (n = 352). In a subgroup (n = 59), the serum concentrations of bone biochemical markers (intact osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and type I collagen carboxy-terminal telopeptide (ICTP)) were measured at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, the BMDs were similar between the five apo E genotype groups (2/3, 2/4, 3/3, 3/4, 4/4). No significant differences in lumbar or femoral neck BMDs of women with the apo E4 allele were found compared with those without it. There was a statistically significant difference in 5-year BMD changes between the HRT and non-HRT groups. After 5 years, the BMD of the femoral neck had remained constant and the mean lumbar spine BMD had increased by 1.5% in the HRT group, whereas both BMDs had decreased by 4-5% in the non-HRT group. However, the apo E genotype did not modify the changes in BMD in either group. Additionally, the baseline concentrations of bone metabolic markers and their 1-year changes showed no genotype-related associations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our population-based study indicate that apo E genotype does not modify lumbar or femoral neck BMDs or serum bone biochemical markers or their response to HRT in early postmenopausal Caucasian women.     

甲状腺功能亢进症与骨代谢相关性分析

目的:观察甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)对患者骨密度及骨代谢相关指标的影响。方法:采用双能X线骨密度仪测定200例甲亢患者及50名正常对照人群的腰椎、桡骨远端及髋部骨密度(BMD),并测定血清钙(Ca)、磷(P)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、甲状旁腺素(PTH)、降钙素(CT)及骨钙素(osteocalcin,BGP)等指标。比较两组间骨密度、血清骨代谢指标的差异并分析甲亢与骨代谢之间的相关性。结果:病例组骨密度Z值及血CT均明显低于正常对照组(P<0.05),ALP、BGP、PTH明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05),Ca、P差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。相关分析显示,甲亢患者骨密度值与游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)明显相关,与游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺素(TSH)有相关趋势,与病程无关。结论:甲亢患者骨代谢紊乱,呈现骨吸收大于骨形成的趋势,容易导致骨量丢失,且骨量丢失的程度与病情严重程度有关,与病程无明显相关。     

骨代谢指标在骨质疏松患者椎体变形中的意义

背景：骨质疏松常导致胸腰段椎体变形,鉴于骨代谢指标可灵敏的反映个体骨转换过程,结合骨密度可减少漏诊,预测骨折风险,提前干预可降低重度椎体畸形的发生率。 目的：分析骨代谢指标在骨质疏松患者椎体变形中的意义。 方法：将157例老年人骨质疏松患者按是否存在椎体变形分为椎体变形组和椎体形态正常组,椎体变形组中根据骨密度的不同分为骨密度正常和骨密度减低亚组,进行骨密度和总Ⅰ型胶原氨基端前肽、β胶原特殊序列、N端骨钙素骨代谢指标进行检测,比较了2组间及椎体变形组内骨密度正常和骨密度减低亚组间各骨代谢指标的差异。 结果与结论：椎体变形组总Ⅰ型胶原氨基端前肽、β胶原特殊序列、N端骨钙素水平较椎体形态正常组增高(P < 0.05);骨密度正常亚组总Ⅰ型胶原氨基端前肽与β胶原特殊序列水平较骨密度减低亚组增高(P < 0.05),N端骨钙素在2亚组间差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。结果表明骨质疏松患者中椎体变形者总Ⅰ型胶原氨基端前肽、β胶原特殊序列、N端骨钙素的骨代谢水平高于无椎体变形者,在存在椎体变形的患者中,骨密度正常者总Ⅰ型胶原氨基端前肽、β胶原特殊序列的骨代谢水平高于骨密度降低者,骨代谢水平增高结合骨密度及椎体变形可用于骨质疏松的诊断和椎体脆性骨折的预测。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

A longitudinal study of the effect of vitamin K2 on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women a comparative study with vitamin D3 and estrogen-progestin therapy

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of vitamin K2 treatment for a year on spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, comparing with vitamin D3 hormone replacement therapy and to determine the factors which affect the efficacy of vitamin K2 therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two postmenopausal women were randomized into four groups and treated with respective agents. Before the therapy, 6 and 12 months after the treatment, their lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The rates of change in BMD (delta BMD) were calculated. Correlations of BMD with age, year since menopause and the initial BMD were determined. RESULTS: Vitamin K2 suppressed the decrease in spinal BMD as compared with no treatment group. BMD in women treated with vitamin K2 was inversely correlated with their age (r = -0.54; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K2 therapy may be a useful method for preventing postmenopausal spinal bone mineral loss. In addition, the therapy should be started early in postmenopausal period.     

Increased bone remodeling in first-episode major depressive disorder

OBJECTIVE: Bone mineral density is decreased in patients with depressive disorder. This study evaluated biochemical bone remodeling markers in patients having their first depressive episode who had not taken psychotropic medications to evaluate possible pathogenic mechanisms implicated in the loss of bone mineral density in early states of this illness. METHODS: Serum osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, bone alkaline phosphatase, telopeptide, collagen type I C-terminal propeptide, cross-laps, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured in 19 depressive patients and 19 age-matched healthy women. In addition, serum cortisol and interleukin-6 were determined. Patients were assessed with the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry interview and met criteria for a single depressive episode. RESULTS: Depressed patients had increased levels of osteocalcin (p = .003), an osteoblastic marker; telopeptide (p = .01), an osteoclastic marker; and cross-laps (p = .000), another osteoclastic marker. Parathyroid hormone was lower in patients (p = .02), whereas the rest of the markers were comparable between patients and healthy control subjects. Serum cortisol was higher in depressed patients than in control subjects (p = .003), but cortisolemia and interleukin-6 did not show any relationship with bone markers in patients. Clinical severity of the illness and weight loss due to depression in patients did not correlate with bone remodeling markers. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that an increase in bone remodeling not due to vitamin D deficiency induces a release of calcium from bone and inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion.     

Bone and cartilage turnover markers, bone mineral density, and radiographic damage in men with ankylosing spondylitis

PURPOSE: To determine the levels of bone and cartilage turnover markers in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to investigate their associations with disease activity, bone mineral density, and radiographic damage of the spine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 35 men with newly diagnosed AS. The bone mineral densities (BMD) of their lumbar spines and proximal femurs, Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath AS Radiographic Index (BASRI) were evaluated. Urinary C-terminal telopeptide fragments of type I collagen (CTX-I) and type II collagen (CTX-II) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin were determined by an enzyme immunoassay. Levels of biochemical markers were compared with those of 70 age-matched healthy men. RESULTS: Patients with AS had significantly higher mean urinary CTX-I and CTX-II levels than control subjects (p<0.05). Elevated urinary CTX-I levels correlated well with BASDAI, femoral BMD, and femoral T score (p<0.05), and elevated urinary CTX-II levels correlated well with spinal BASRI (p<0.05) in patients with AS. Mean serum BALP and osteocalcin levels did not differ between patients and controls and did not show any significant correlations with BMD, BASDAI, or BASRI in men with AS. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated CTX-I reflects disease activity and loss of femoral BMD while elevated CTX-II levels correlate well with radiographic damage of the spine, suggesting the usefulness of these markers for monitoring disease activity, loss of BMD, and radiographic damage in men with AS.     

Correlation of Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin (ucOC) Concentration and Bone Density with Age in Healthy Korean Women

Uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is important in evaluating vitamin K status and it is inversely associated with bone mineral density (BMD). We studied the correlationship between ucOC and BMD in healthy Korean women. This study recruited 337 healthy women between ages 20-70 were recruited. Serum ucOC, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, body mass index (BMI), and BMD were measured and compared. Mean BMI was lowest (20.3±1.9 kg/m²) in the 20 yr old group and highest (24.8±2.6 kg/m²) in the 60 yr old group. Women age 20-70 yr old had ucOC inversely related to BMD independent of other factors that may influence BMD. Serum ucOC concentration and BMD of lumbar spine showed a significant inverse relationship. Serum mean alkaline phosphatase was lowest (122±30 IU/L) in the age 30 group and highest (190.3±55.8 IU/L) in the age 60 group. Serum ucOC was inversely associated with BMI, and positively associated with alkaline phosphatase. Uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) was inversely associated with spinal BMD in healthy Korean women. Serum mean ucOC was highest in the age 20 group, followed by age 50 group, which may indicate vitamin K insufficiency could be related to high bone turnover in these groups. These results suggest that vitamin K supplement may be considered to help both bone growth and bone loss during these periods.     

Bone demineralisation in patients with Turner''s syndrome.

The hypothesis that the demineralisation associated with gonadal dysgenesis is analogous to post-menopausal osteoporosis was investigated. Bone mineral content of the distal forearm was measured in 11 adult patients with Turner's syndrome aged 18 to 57 years. As a group these patients were significantly demineralised (p less than 0.001) when compared with normal subjects. A bimodal distribution of bone mineral was demonstrated, the eight patients below the normal range having a bone mineral content 73% of normal. This may be the usual bone mineral content for a large proportion of Turner's patients. No steady reduction in mineralisation with age was demonstrated. The number of osteoporotic type fractures was obtained from the records of 36 adult patients with Turner's syndrome. From the cumulative total years at risk (770 patient years) from the age of 15 years, it was found that the number of fractures of the distal radius corresponded to the normal premenopausal rather than post-menopausal fracture incidence. The absence of any reduction in bone mineral content with age and no clear evidence of an increase in frequency of fractures both suggest that the demineralisation associated with Turner's syndrome is not analogous to post-menopausal osteoporosis. The regular use of long term oestrogen therapy as a treatment for 'osteoporosis' in these patients is therefore not justified.