PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the effects of weight-bearing exercise(WBE) on bone metabolism. METHOD: WBE was performed for 12 weeks by healthy college women. Bone-related parameters were measured four times during this period by evaluating the immunoradiometric assay and enzyme immunoassay. Bone mineral densities(BMDs) were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after the WBE program. Data was analyzed using t-test, paired t-test, x2-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULT: Osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, increased more in the experimental group than in the control group based on the interaction between time and group(F=3.29 p=.024). Little difference between the two groups was found for the other parameters: urinary deoxypyridinoline, insulin-like growth factorI, parathormone, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus without showing any time interaction between the groups. The femoral trochanter BMD rose in the experimental group while that of the control group fell, showing a significant difference for BMD(t=3.06 p=.005). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups for changes in BMD of the forearm, lumbar spine, femoral neck, and femoral ward's triangle. CONCLUSION: These findings supported the WBE is beneficial for increasing bone formation in college women and long-term application is needed to substantiate the effects of WBE as a intervention in promotion of bone-health.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; *Bone Density ; *Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Osteocalcin/blood

OBJECTIVETo observe serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and changes in serum OPG level after glucocorticoid therapy, with the aim of studying the role of OPG in the bone metabolism of children with NS.

METHODSForty-four children with idiopathic NS were randomly selected as the study group, including 24 newly diagnosed, untreated patients and 20 who had relapsed during the process of glucocorticoid reduction (cumulative dose of glucocorticoid 28327±5879 mg/m2). Twenty-three age- and sex-matched healthy children served as the control group. Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level was measured using ELISA. Serum N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin (N-MID osteocalcin) was determined using electrochemical luminescence immunoassays (ECLIA).

RESULTSSerum levels of OPG (211±55 ng/L) and N-MID osteocalcin (46±14 ng/mL) in the untreated NS group were reduced compared with 470±57 ng/L (OPG) and 73±9 ng/ml (N-MID osteocalcin) in the control group (P<0.05). Serum levels of OPG (176±42 ng/L) and N-MID osteocalcin (29±10 ng/mL) in the NS relapsed group were lower than in the untreated NS and control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBone metabolism disorders are found in children with NS. High-doses of glucocorticoid therapy can aggravate these disorders. Serum OPG levels in children with NS may be affected by both the renal disease itself and steroid therapy, suggesting that OPG is expected to become a new biochemical indicator for predicting changes to the bone metabolism of children with NS.

Child ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood

Calcitonin ; blood ; Fluorine ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Osteocalcin ; blood

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of low dose corticosteroid (CS) on bone turnover and osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Bone mineral density (BMD), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, serum osteocalcin, and urinary deoxypyridinoline were measured in 63 patients with RA. According to daily prednisolone dose, patients were divided into low dose DI (< or = 5.0 mg) and medium dose DII (7.5~20.0 mg) groups. According to cumulated prednisolone dose, patients were divided into CI (<5.0 gm) and CII (>5.0 gm) groups. Then we analyzed each groups in relation to several indicators. RESULTS: Most RA patients had low BMD. BMD of DI and DII groups were low without significant difference. Urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline was high in DI and DII group while serum osteocalcin level was normal in both groups. It suggested patients with RA have an imbalance between bone absorption and bone formation contributing the development of osteoporosis, even though low dose steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with low dose CS had significantly high urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion, normal serum osteocalcin, and low BMD, as well as patients with medium dose CS. Even though low dose CS use, intensive prevention and treatment for generalized osteoporosis are recommended in patients with RA.
Absorption ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Sedimentation ; Bone Density ; C-Reactive Protein ; Humans ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Prednisolone

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on bone metabolism of mice in vivo.

METHODSTwenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided into a control group and 2 experimental groups (n=8). The whole-body of mice in experimental groups were exposed to 50 kV/m and 400kV/m EMP, 400 pulses daily for 7 consecutive days at 2 seconds intervals. Alkaline phosphotase (ALP) activity, serum calcium concentration and osteocalcin level and trabecular bone volume (BV/TV, %) were measured immediately after EMP exposure by biochemical, ELISA and morphological methods.

RESULTSThe ALP activity, serum calcium concentration and osteocalcin level and BV/TV in experimental groups remained unchanged after EMP exposure. Conclusion Under our experimental conditions, EMP exposure cannot affect bone metabolism of mice in vivo.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteocalcin ; blood

Vitamin K is the cofactor for the hepatic carboxylation of glutamic acid residues in a number of proteins including the procoagulants factors ll, Vll, lX, and X. The role of vitamin K in normal bone function is not fully understood. Inherited deficiency of vitamin K dependent coagulation factors is a rare bleeding disorder reported only in a few patients. Here we present an 18-month old child who presented with osteopeni due to inherited vitamin K deficiency. While the patient had high bone specific alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels and low osteocalcin and bone mineral density values, with the regular supplementation of vitamin K all the mentioned parameters returned to normal values.
Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology ; Human ; Infant ; Male ; Osteocalcin/blood ; Prothrombin Time ; Vitamin K Deficiency/blood/complications/*genetics

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.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Body Mass Index ; *Bone Density ; Calcium/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteocalcin/*blood ; Vitamin K/blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the preventive effect of Jiangu granule (JGG) on experimental primary osteoporosis type I.

METHODSOsteoporosis model was established through ovary resection of female rats. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured with double energy X-ray absorptiometry. Level of endocrine markers, including osteocalcin (BGP), estradiol (E2) and calcitonin (CT) in serum were examined by RIA. And uterus parameters was calculated also.

RESULTSJGG could significantly increase BMD and uterus index, improve the levels of E2 and CT in serum, at the same time reduce the BGP level.

CONCLUSIONJGG can efficiently prevent type I primary osteoporosis or delay its occurrence by enhancing the function of endocrine system, coordinating the action of calcium related hormone, reducing bone turnover rate and increasing BMD.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; prevention & control ; Ovariectomy ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Neoplasms ; blood ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Parathyroid Hormone ; blood

Bone mineral density (BMD) focus one's attention on prevention effects of osteoporosis. This study was conducted to investigate BMD (lumbar spin:L2 - L4, femur neck:FN, femur trochanter:TR, femur ward's triangle:WT, wrist) and look into the factors that affect BMD by menopause in 89 nonsmoking healthy Korean women (40 - 60 yr). Anthropometric index and body composition, nutrient intakes, osteocalcin and total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and calcium in serum were determined. Body fat mass, diastolic blood pressure and serum cholesterol concentration of postmenopausal women were significantly higher than those of premenopausal women. FN, TR, WT, wrist BMD of postmenopausal women were not different from those of premenopausal women. However L2 - L4 BMD of postmenopausal women was lower than that of premenopausal women. Significant positive correlations were found between L2 - L4, FN, TR, WT and weight (r = 0.44, r = 0.64, r = 0.58, r = 0.57) and significant positive correlations were found between FN, TR, WT and BMI (r = 0.54, r = 0.45, r = 0.54) of premenopausal women. Whereas significant positive correlation was only found between TR BMD and weight, BMI (r = 0.38, r = 0.29) of postmenopausal women. FN BMD and WC (waist circumstance) of premenopausal women were found significant positive correlation (r = 0.35) whereas L2 - L4 BMD and WC of postmenopausal women was found significant negative correlation (r = -0.31). In premenopausal women, differences of bone BMD were not shown by exercise and alcohol drinking, but in postmenopausal women, significant difference of FN BMD was shown by exercise and alcohol drinking. These results suggested that by menopause, effects of weight, BMI, WC, exercise and alcohol drinking on bone BMD were different. Therefore, by menopause, we should consider the different ways to increase the bone BMD according to different factors.
Adipose Tissue ; Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Bone Density* ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Menopause* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Triglycerides ; Wrist