BACKGROUNDSerum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) have been shown to play a role in bone metabolism by degrading the bone matrix. The present study was undertaken to compare OPG and MMP-2 with bone mineral density and three markers (alkaline phosphatase (AKP), calcium and phosphorus) in postmenopausal women in Wuhan.

METHODSSerum OPG, MMP-2, and AKP of 78 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 48 to 65 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bone mineral density was measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and serum calcium and phosphorus were measured by auto biochemical analysis.

RESULTSSerum OPG and MMP-2 concentrations were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis ((127.6 +/- 6.3) ng/L; (1388 +/- 121) microg/L)) than those in age-matched normal controls ((72.3 +/- 2.4) ng/L; (1126 +/- 141) microg/L, P < 0.01). Negative relationships were found between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone mineral density in osteoporotic women. Adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI), the correlation of MMP-2 with bone mineral density of the neck of the femur disappeared. In osteoporotic women, negative correlations between OPG, MMP-2 levels and serum calcium were found (r = -0.216; r = -0.269, P < 0.05), but positive correlations between OPG and serum AKP, serum phosphorus (r = 0.235; r = 0.124, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSignificant correlations exist between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone metabolism in high bone turnover of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. The concentrations of serum OPG and MMP-2 increase possibly as a concomitant event in the high bone turnover state, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore serum OPG and MMP-2 could be used as indicators for the bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; Postmenopause ; metabolism

Cytokine has been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of post-menopausal osteoporosis. To test this hypothesis we measured circulating levels of IL-1, IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-alpha in 98 post-menopausal women (30 age matched normal and 68 osteoporotic) with no vertebral fractures. Although the cytokine levels of patients were found in normal cut off values, the difference in cytokine levels between patients and controls was statistically significant for IL-1 and IL-8 (p < 0.01). In osteoporotic patients, none of the cytokines correlated with lumbar, femoral (neck) and total hip bone mineral densities and also with body mass index (p > 0.01). In conclusion, we were unable to demonstrate abnormalities of cytokines affecting bone resorption in peripheral serum of women with post-menopausal osteoporosis. However increased production of these cytokines may occur in the local environment of bone.
Bone Resorption ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; metabolism ; Postmenopause ; physiology

PURPOSE: Accumulating evidence has shown a close connection between hematopoiesis and bone formation. Our aim was to evaluate the association between peripheral blood cell counts and bone mineral density (BMD) in a sample of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: three hundreds thirty eight healthy postmenopausal women who underwent BMD measurement during their health check-up were investigated. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray asorptiometry at L1-L4 spine, femoral neck and total proximal femur. BMD was expressed as a T-score: among T-scores obtained from three different sites (L1-L4 spine, femoral neck and total proximal femur), the lowest T-score was considered to be the subject's T-score. RESULTS: The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis diagnosed by T-score in the study participants were 49.4% (167/338) and 5.0% (17/338), respectively. Peripheral blood white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet counts had significant positive correlations with T-scores (p<0.001) upon simple linear regression analysis. A multiple linear regression analysis, after controlling of confounders including age, body weight, systolic blood pressure, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine, showed that WBC (beta=0.127; standard error=0.043; p=0.014), RBC (beta=0.192; standard error=0.139; p<0.001) and platelet (beta=0.097; standard error=0.001; p=0.050) counts still had significant positive association with T-scores. CONCLUSION: The study results showed a positive relationship between blood cell counts and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, supporting the idea of a close connection between hematopoiesis and bone formation. The study results also suggest that blood cell counts could be a putative marker for estimating BMD in postmenopausal women.
Aged ; *Blood Cell Count ; *Bone Density ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Middle Aged ; Osteogenesis ; Postmenopause/*blood/*metabolism ; Republic of Korea

OBJECTIVETo study the association between vitamin D status and bone mineral density(BMD) in urban postmenopausal women in Beijing.

METHODSA total of 400 community-dwelling women older than 60 (median age 67.8 years) were selected randomly from 17 community of 3 districts in Beijing by cluster sampling method from May to July, 2008. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay, using the DiaSorin kit, America. The objects were assigned into four groups: vitamin D deficient group (group A, 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L), insufficient group(group B, 25 nmol/L < 25(OH)D < or = 50 nmol/L), normal group (group C, 50 nmol/L < 25(OH)D < or = 75 nmol/L) and enough group (group D, 25(OH)D > 75 nmol/L). The BMD at total, lumbar spine (L(2-4)) and proximal femur were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

RESULTSThe mean concentration of serum 25(OH)D concentration was (36.0 +/- 14.6) nmol/L, BMD at total and proximal femur were respectively (0.829 +/- 0.090) and (0.679 +/- 0.106) g/cm(2). The mean BMD at total of group A, B, C + D were respectively (0.811 +/- 0.077), (0.825 +/- 0.088) and (0.864 +/- 0.112) g/cm(2)(F = 16.93, P < 0.01), and BMD at proximal femur of group A, B, C + D were respectively (0.666 +/- 0.107), (0.673 +/- 0.099) and (0.725 +/- 0.117) g/cm(2)(F = 18.36, P < 0.01). The 25(OH)D level was positively correlated with BMD at total body and proximal femur (r values were 0.17 and 0.18, both P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVitamin D status was highly correlated with BMD at lumbar spine (L(2-4)), proximal femur, pelvis and limbs for the postmenopausal older women.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; China ; Female ; Femur ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Vitamin D ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy on the quality of life (QOL), the reproductive endocrine and bone metabolism of postmenopausal women.

METHODSA total A total of 65 women with climacteric syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups, thirty-three in the treatment group on whom acupoint catgut-embedding was performed with Shenshu (BL23), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Guanyuan (CV4) as main acupoints, and thirty-two in the control group who were only medicated with Fufuchun Capsule (妇复春胶囊). The treatment course for both groups was 3 months. Before and after Before and after treatment, the clinical symptoms, the QOL score, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)), testosterone (T), osteocalcin (BGP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were measured. In addition, another 28 women with childbearing potential and normal regular menstrual cycle were selected and the reproductive endocrine hormone were tested in the ovulatory period as controls.

RESULTSThe levels of serum FSH and LH of postmenopausal women were higher, and serum E(2) and T were lower than those of normal women (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of serum E(2) In both groups and T in the treatment group were increased, while in the control group the serum E(2) increase was more significant than that in the treatment group (P<0.05), and serum T showed no statistical difference. The levels of serum FSH, LH, BGP, CT, PTH and AKP were reduced significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05). The QOL scores were Increased remarkably in both groups on physiological functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental health after treatment (P<0.05),but the improvement of bodily pain and mental health in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effect between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupoint catgut-embedding showed an obvious effect on climacteric syndrome, and enhanced the QOL in postmenopausal women. The therapy could regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis to raise the serum E(2) level which may be significant in preventing and curing the osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Catgut ; Endocrine System ; metabolism ; Female ; Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; blood ; metabolism ; Quality of Life ; Reproduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the levels of estrogen (E2) and progestogen (P), expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and cervical cancer.

METHODSA case-control study with hospital and community controls was employed. The levels of serum estrogen and progesterone were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 141 cervical cancer cases, 137 uterine myoma patients as controls and 129 health women as controls. ER and PR were measured by immunohistochemistry sABC in cervix tissues from patients with cervical cancer and uterus myoma as well.

RESULTSThe levels of estrogen (47.49 ng/mL) and progesterone (2.34 pg/mL) in cases were significantly higher than those in both control groups. The association between estrogen and cervical cancer was significant both before and after menopause-adjusted, with over 89% of attributable risk percentage (ARP), and showed a dose-response relation. Using the lowest value of 2 pg/ml in follicular phase as cut off point for progesterone, there were no statistically significant difference between cases and controls, and neither in progesterone nor in premenopausal. The expressions of ER and PR in cases were lower than those in controls, even after being menopause-adjusted.

CONCLUSIONThe high level of endogenous estrogen and progestogen might increase the risk of cervical cancer. Compared with progestogen, estrogen showed a higher risk that was not influenced by menopause. In some sense, ER and PR may exert certain protective effect on progressing of cervical carcinogenesis.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyoma ; blood ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; blood ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; blood ; Receptors, Estrogen ; analysis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; analysis ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; Uterine Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum adipocytokines and leptin level are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Serum adiponectin and leptin level were measured by ELISA in 336 postmenopausal women. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the whole body, lumbar spine, hip, and forearm. Body compositions including lean tissue mass and body fat mass were measured by DXA, and their relationship was analyzed. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels were negatively related to BMD at the whole body, the lumbar spine, the hip, and the forearm (r = -0.181, r = -0.208, r = -0.228, r = -0.203, and P < 0.05, respectively). After adjustment for age and fat mass, the correlation with BMD still remained (r = -0.131, r = -0.140, r = -0.159, r = -0.172, and P<0.05, respectively). Serum leptin levels were positively related to BMD was at the hip and the forearm (r = 0.162, r = 0.210, and P < 0.05, respectively). After adjustment for age and fat mass, the correlation with BMD at the forearm remained (r = 0.157, P<0.05), but the correlation with BMD at the hip disappeared. In the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, year since menopause, lean mass, adiponectin, and estradiol were independent predictors of BMD at the body, the hip and the forearm; year since menopause, lean mass, body mass index, adiponectin, and extradiol were independent predictors of BMD at the lumbar spine. CONCLUSION Adiponectin is the independent predictor of BMD.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adiponectin ; blood ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; blood ; metabolism

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.
Aged ; Bone Density/*physiology ; Female ; Femur Neck/metabolism ; Fractures, Bone/metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin/*blood ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause ; Spine/metabolism

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of group III mechanoreceptors to cardiovascular responses in both pre-menopausal woman and post-menopausal woman during passive ankle dorsiflexion (PAD). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 post-menopausal women and 10 pre-menopausal women) were recruited for this study. Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), and total vascular conductances (TVC) were measured continuously throughout the experiment. To stimulate the group III mechanoreceptors, PAD was performed for one minute. RESULTS: The results showed that mean arterial pressure (MAP) mediated by the mechanoreflex activation was significantly increased in both groups. However, this pressor response was significantly higher in post-menopausal women. This reflex significantly increased both SV and CO in pre-menopausal women, while there were no differences in post-menopausal women. There was no difference in HR in either group. The mechanoreflex significantly decreased TVC in post-menopausal woman, while there was no difference in pre-menopausal woman. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the excessive pressor response mediated by the mechanoreflex occurs due to overactivity of group III mechanorecptors and the mechanism is produced mainly via peripheral vasoconstriction in post-menopausal women.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiac Output ; Estrogens/*metabolism ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Mechanoreceptors ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause ; Reflex, Stretch/*physiology ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVETo study relationships between serum ferritin and bone metabolism in patients with hip fragility fractures.

METHODSThis cross-sectional study included 76 postmenopausal women with hip fracture from Feburary 2011 to June 2012. The mean age of the women was (73 ± 10) years (range, 55-93 years) and the mean duration of menstruation was (22 ± 10)years (range, 5-50 years). Serum concentrations of ferritin, transferrin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amino-terminal extension peptide of type I collagen (P1NP), C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (β-CTX)and femoral and lumbar bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured. Bone metabolism was compared between normal and elevated ferritin groups with t-test, Pearson linear, partial correlation and multiple regression analysis examined associations between iron- and bone-related markers.

RESULTSSerum ferritin concentration raised to (230 ± 146)µg/L, transferrin concentration reduced to (1.89 ± 0.33)g/L. P1NP concentration raised to (61 ± 32) ng/L when the concentration of serum ALP and β-CTX were in the normal range. T-scores for bone mineral density in the femoral neck (-2.0 ± 1.1) and lumbar (-2.1 ± 1.2) were below the normal ranges(-1.0-1.0). The subjects were divided into two groups according to serum ferritin concentration, normal group(serum ferritin concentration ≤ 150 µg/L, n = 25) and elevated group(serum ferritin concentration > 150 µg/L, n = 51). Patients of elevated group had lower bone mineral density in femoral neck and lumbar than normal group(t = 3.13,2.89, P < 0.01), and higher P1NP, β-CTX concentration (t = -2.38, -3.59, P < 0.05) . In partial correlation analysis adjusted for confounders, serum ferritin concentration was correlated negatively with bone mineral density in both femoral neck and lumbar (r = -0.335,-0.295, P < 0.05), and positively with P1NP and β-CTX (r = 0.467,0.414, P < 0.05), but not correlated with ALP (r = 0.188, P > 0.05). Transferrin concentration tended to be correlated positively with bone mineral density in both femoral neck and lumbar (r = 0.444, 0.262, P < 0.05) and negatively with ALP, P1NP and β-CTX(r = -0.326,-0.285,-0.278, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIron overload has a high prevalence in postmenopausal women with fragility fracture. Increased iron stores, which might lead to bone loss and lower bone mineral density by enhancing the activity of bone turnover, could be an independent factor to take effects on bone metabolism on postmenopausal women.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Bone Remodeling ; Collagen Type I ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; metabolism ; Humans ; Iron Overload ; Iron-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; metabolism ; Postmenopause ; Retrospective Studies