OBJECTIVE: To analyze the significance of total vitamin D (tVD), total procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (tPINP) and β-CrossLaps (β-CTx) in the staging and prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: A total of 54 patients with newly diagnosed MM admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from 2020 to 2022 were selected as the observation group (MM group), and 50 healthy persons who underwent physical examinations in our hospital were selected as the control group. The expression levels of tVD, tPINP and β-CTx in the two groups were detected by chemiluminescence method. The differences in the expression levels of tVD, tPINP and β-CTx among MM patients at different ISS stages were analyzed. The expression levels of tVD, tPINP and β-CTx in MM patients with different levels of hemoglobin (Hb), serum calcium (Ca), creatinine (Crea), albumin (ALB), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were compared. The correlations between the expression levels of tVD, tPINP, β-CTx and the aforementioned clinical parameters were analyzed, respectively. The relationship between the expression levels of tVD, tPINP, β-CTx and the progression-free survival (PFS) of MM patients was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression level of tVD in the MM group was significantly lower than that in the control group (21.73±14.45 ng/ml vs 30.78±9.94 ng/ml, P =0.022). The expression level of β-CTx in the MM group was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.43±0.99 ng/ml vs 0.53±0.29 ng/ml, P =0.013). The tVD level in MM patients with ISS stage I-II was significantly higher than that of MM patients with ISS stage III (29.50±14.59 ng/ml vs 12.62±7.73 ng/ml, P =0.028), indicating that the higher the ISS stage, the lower the tVD level. The tPINP and β-CTx levels in MM patients with high Ca levels (>2.65 mmol/L) were significantly higher than those in patients with low Ca levels (≤2.65 mmol/L) (P =0.016, P =0.021). The tVD level of MM patients was positively correlated with the ALB level (r =0.570), tPINP was positively correlated with Ca and β₂-MG levels (r =0.791,r =0.673), and β-CTx was positively correlated with tPINP level (r =0.616). The PFS of the low tVD expression group was significantly lower than that of the high tVD expression group (P =0.041). CONCLUSION The expression level of tVD is decreased in MM patients, which can be used as an indicator to evaluate the disease stage and prognosis of the patients. The β-CTx expression level is increased in MM patients. tPINP and β-CTx may be correlated with clinical symptoms such as osteolytic lesions and renal function changes in MM patients.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/pathology* ; Procollagen/blood* ; Vitamin D/blood* ; Prognosis ; Peptide Fragments/blood* ; Collagen Type I/blood* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Neoplasm Staging

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in blood levels of calcium and bone metabolism biochemical markers in patients with primary osteoporosis receiving treatment with denosumab. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with primary osteoporosis treated in our Department between December, 2021 and December 2023 were enrolled. All the patients were treated with calcium supplements, vitamin D and calcitriol in addition to regular denosumab treatment every 6 months. Blood calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), type I procollagen amino-terminal propeptide (PINP), and type I collagen carboxy-terminal telopeptide β special sequence (β‑CTX) data before and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the first treatment were collected from each patient. RESULTS: Three months after the first denosumab treatment, the bone turnover markers (BTMs) OC, PINP, and β-CTX were significantly decreased compared to their baseline levels by 39.5% (P<0.001), 56.2% (P<0.001), and 81.8% (P<0.001), respectively. At 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment, OC, PINP, and β-CTX remained significantly lower than their baseline levels (P<0.001). Blood calcium level was decreased (P<0.05) and PTH level increased (P<0.05) significantly in these patients at months of denosumab treatment, but their levels were comparable to the baseline levels at 6, 9, and 12 months of the treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Denosumab can suppress BTMs and has a good therapeutic effect in patients with primary osteoporosis, but reduction of blood calcium and elevation of PTH levels can occur during the first 3 months in spite of calcium supplementation. Blood calcium and PTH levels can recover the baseline levels as the treatment extended, suggesting the importance of monitoring blood calcium and PTH levels during denosumab treatment.
Humans ; Denosumab/therapeutic use* ; Calcium/blood* ; Parathyroid Hormone/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Osteoporosis/blood* ; Osteocalcin/blood* ; Procollagen/blood* ; Female ; Collagen Type I/blood* ; Peptide Fragments/blood* ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/therapeutic use* ; Bone and Bones/metabolism* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vitamin D ; Peptides/blood* ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate possible serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] cutoffs for the associations between 25(OH)D and Bone turnover markers (BTMs), and how GC gene variation influences such cutoffs in Chinese women of childbearing age. METHODS: In total, 1,505 non-pregnant or non-lactating women (18-45 years) were recruited from the 2015 Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance. Serum 25(OH)D, osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), β-CrossLaps of type 1 collagen containing cross-linked C-telopeptide (β-CTX), and single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined. Locally weighted regression and smoothing scatterplot and segmented regression were performed to estimate the 25(OH)D thresholds. RESULTS: The median serum 25(OH)D was 16.63 (11.96-22.55) ng/mL and the prevalence of low serum 25(OH)D (< 12 ng/mL) was 25.2%. Women with the lowest 25(OH)D had the highest β-CTX. After adjustment for the confounders, 25(OH)D cutoffs for OC [14.04 (12.84-15.23) ng/mL], β-CTX [13.94 (12.49-15.39) ng/mL], and P1NP [13.87 (12.37-15.37) ng/mL] in the whole population, cutoffs for OC [12.30 (10.68-13.91) ng/mL], β-CTX [12.23 (10.22-14.23) ng/mL], and P1NP [11.85 (10.40-13.31) ng/mL] in women with the GC rs2282679 G allele, and cutoffs for OC [12.75 (11.81-13.68) ng/mL], β-CTX [13.05 (11.78-14.32) ng/mL], and P1NP [12.81 (11.57-14.06) ng/mL] in women with the GC rs2282679 T allele, were observed. Below these cutoffs, BTMs were negatively associated with 25(OH)D, while above these cutoffs, BTMs plateaued. CONCLUSION In Chinese women of childbearing age, there were thresholds effect of serum 25(OH)D concentrations on BTMs. The results indicated that serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 13.87 ng/mL in this population had adverse influences on maintaining bone remodeling. BTMs were suppressed at a relatively lower serum 25(OH)D in women with the GC rs2282679 G allele compared with those with the T allele.
Humans ; Female ; Vitamin D/blood* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; China ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Bone Remodeling/genetics* ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein/genetics* ; Procollagen/blood* ; Osteocalcin/blood* ; Peptide Fragments/blood* ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVES: To study the level of serum vitamin K₂ (VitK₂) and its association with bone metabolism markers osteocalcin (OC), type I procollagen amino-terminal peptide (PINP), and type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide (CTX) in children. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 1 732 children who underwent routine physical examination from October 2020 to October 2021. The serum levels of VitK₂ and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured. According to age, they were divided into four groups: <1 year, 1-3 years group, >3-6 years group, and >6-14 years. A total of 309 children with 25(OH)D≥50 nmol/L were screened out, and serum levels of OC, PINP, and CTX were measured to investigate the correlation of the serum levels of OC, PINP, and CTX with serum VitK₂ levels in different age groups. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of serum VitK₂ deficiency was 52.31% (906/1 732). The VitK₂ deficiency group had higher prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and growth pain (≥3 years of age) than the normal VitK₂ group (P<0.05). There were differences in the prevalence rate of serum VitK₂ deficiency (P<0.0083) and the serum level of VitK₂ (P<0.05) between the 1-3 years group and the >6-14 years group. The <1 year group had a higher serum level of CTX and a lower serum level of PINP than the >3-6 years group and the >6-14 years group (P<0.05). The <1 year group had a lower serum level of OC than the >6-14 years group (P<0.05). Serum VitK₂ level was positively correlated with OC level (r_s=0.347, P<0.01), and CTX level was negatively correlated with PINP level (r_s=-0.317, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Serum VitK₂ deficiency may be associated with overweight/obesity. Serum VitK₂ may affect the level of OC and even bone health.
Child ; Humans ; Infant ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Obesity/complications* ; Osteocalcin/metabolism* ; Overweight/complications* ; Peptide Fragments/metabolism* ; Peptides/metabolism* ; Procollagen/metabolism* ; Vitamin K/blood* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Bone and Bones/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and total procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (TP1NP) in perimenopausal women.

METHODSTotal 274 women aged 33~60 y with perimenopausal period were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of FSH and TP1NP were detected by electrochemiluminescence.

RESULTSIn 274 perimenopausal women, the average level of TP1NP was (48.99±20.31) ng/mL, which was positively correlated with FSH level (r=0.159, P=0.009). In 40-50 age group, TP1NP level in women with FSH<40 mIU/mL was lower than that in those with FSH≥40mIU/mL [(35.05±18.11) ng/mL vs (51.33±24.67) ng/mL; t=-2.954, P=0.004]. However, in <40 and 50-60 age groups, there were no significant differences in TP1NP levels between patients with FSH<40 mIU/mL and those with FSH≥40 mIU/mL (t=-0.063, P=0.950; t=1.177, P=0.242). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that standardized coefficients of age variable was 0.047 (P=0.448) and standardized coefficients of FSH variable was 0.146 (P=0.019).

CONCLUSIONTP1NP levels showed a certain correlation with FSH in perimenopausal women, especially for women aged 40-50, indicating that high FSH levels may be important factors for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Adult ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Perimenopause ; blood ; Procollagen ; blood

BACKGROUNDSclerostin, expressed exclusively by osteocytes, is a negative regulator of bone formation. To gain insights into the action of sclerostin in postmenopausal osteoporosis, we evaluated serum sclerostin levels in postmenopausal women and investigated its possible associations with bone turnover markers in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODSWe detected serum sclerostin, and measured lumbar spine bone mineral density in 650 Chinese postmenopausal women. We also assessed serum levels of β-isomerized C-terminal crosslinking of type I collagen, intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, N-mid fragment of osteocalcin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and estradiol.

RESULTSSerum sclerostin levels were lower in postmenopausal osteoporotic women compared with non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women ((38.79 ± 7.43) vs. (52.86 ± 6.69) pmol/L, P < 0.001). Serum sclerostin was positively correlated with lumbar spine bone mineral density (r = 0.391, P < 0.001) and weakly negatively correlated with β-isomerized C-terminal crosslinking of type I collagen, intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, N-mid fragment of osteocalcin (r = -0.225, P < 0.001; r = -0.091, P = 0.046; r = -0.108, P = 0.018; respectively) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. There was no significant association of serum sclerostin with age, body mass index, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and estradiol (r = -0.004, P = 0.926; r = 0.067, P = 0.143; r = 0.063, P = 0.165; r = -0.045, P = 0.324; respectively).

CONCLUSIONSclerostin may be involved in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and may play a role in bone turnover.

Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; blood ; Bone Remodeling ; Collagen Type I ; blood ; Female ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Peptides ; blood ; Procollagen ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of gestational age (GA) with carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and bone sound of speed (SOS) in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates, as well as the relationship between bone turnover markers and bone SOS.

METHODSSixty-five AGA neonates were included in the study. The neonates were divided into three groups: preterm infant (GA ≤3 4 weeks, 14 cases), late preterm infant (34 weeksblood was collected within 7 days after birth to measure blood PICP concentration. Urine was collected to measure urinary DPD and creatinine (Cr) levels. Omnisense 7000P ultrasound bone sonometer was applied to measure the SOS of the left tibia in all cases within 7 days after birth.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in GA (F=140.199, P<0.001), birth weight (F=47.042, P<0.001), birth length (F=46.877, P<0.001), and PI (F=11.898, P<0.001) between the three groups; the higher the GA, the higher the birth weigh, birth length, and PI. There were significant differences in PICP (F=30.384, P<0.001), DPD/Cr (F=21.761, P<0.001), and SOS (F=20.052, P<0.001) between the three groups; the higher the GA, the lower the PICP and DPD/Cr and the higher the bone SOS. PICP and DPD/Cr were negatively correlated with GA, birth weight and bone SOS (P<0.01), while bone SOS was positively correlated with GA and birth weight (P<0.01), which still held true after adjustment for GA and birth weight.

CONCLUSIONSAmong AGA neonates, bone turnover markers are negatively correlated with GA, birth weight and bone SOS. High bone turnover is bad for bone health in AGA neonates.

Amino Acids ; blood ; Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Procollagen ; blood ; Tibia ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-lalpha subunit (HIF-1alpha), HIF prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein(PHDs) and factor inhibiting HIF-1(FIH) in pulmonary arteries of patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSPulmonary specimens were obtained from patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer, 12 had concurrent COPD (COPD group) and 14 without COPD (control group). The ratio of vascular wall area to total vascular area (WA%) and pulmonary artery media thickness (PAMT) was observed, and HIF-1alpha and its hydroxylases(PHD1, PHD2, PHD3, FIH) mRNA and protein were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry respectively.

RESULTSWA% and PAMT of COPD patients(50 microm +/- 9 microm, 40% +/- 5%, were statistically different from those of the control subjects (39 microm +/- 6 microm, 31% +/- 4%, P < 0.01). Relative quantification of mRNA and protein levels (absorbance, A) showed that HIF-lalpha mRNA and protein levels in COPD group (0.230 +/- 0.036,0.275 +/- 0.039) were statistically higher than those of the control subjects (0.174 +/- 0.029, 0.102 +/- 0.015, P < 0.01 ), and that the protein level increased more markedly. PHD1 mRNA in COPD subjects (0.180 +/- 0.030) was comparable to that in control group (0.191 +/- 0.029, P > 0.05); PHD2 and PHD3 mRNA levels in COPD (0.245 +/- 0.044, 0.252 +/- 0.023) were significantly higher than those in control group(0.182 +/- 0.028, 0.127 +/- 0.017, P < 0.01). On the other hand, in COPD subjects PHD1 protein (0.104 +/- 0.015) was significantly lower(P < 0.01), whereas PHD2 protein (0.274 +/- 0.044) was significantly higher(P < 0.01) than those in control group(0.209 +/- 0.023, 0.219+/- 0.043). As for PHD3 protein, no significant changes were observed between the two groups (0.161+/- 0.023 in COPD, 0.146 +/- 0.021 in control, P > 0.05). FIH mRNA and protein both showed no differences between the two groups. Linear correlation analysis showed that HIF1alpha protein was positively correlated with WA%, PAMT, PHD2 mRNA and protein, PHD3 mRNA, and that HIF1alpha protein was negatively correlated with PHD1 protein.

CONCLUSIONPHDs may be involved in the process of hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling in COPD via regulation of HIF-1alpha gene expression

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Lung ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; metabolism ; Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of serum total procollagen type 1 aminoterminal propeptide (total P1NP), cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) and 25(OH)D3 detection in evaluating the risks of fragile hip fracture in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

METHODSSerum levels of total P1NP, β-CTX and 25(OH)D3 was measured in 68 elderly osteoporotic patients with fragile hip fracture and 68 age- and gender-matched osteoporotic controls without fragile hip fracture. In both groups, bone mineral density (BMD) was detected with dual X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTSThe serum levels of total P1NP and β-CTX were significantly higher and 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower in fragile hip fracture group than in the control group (P<0.05), but the two groups showed no significant difference in lumbar or total hip BMD. Bivariate correlation analysis suggested that in fragile hip fracture group, serum 25(OH)D3 level was positively, while serum total P1NP and β-CTX levels were inversely correlated with lumbar and total hip BMD (P<0.05). In control group, 25(OH)D3 was not related to lumbar or total hip BMD, and serum total P1NP and β-CTX levels were inversely correlated with total hip BMD (P<0.05) but not related to lumbar BMD.

CONCLUSIONIn osteoporotic elderly patients with close BMD levels, high serum levels of total P1NP and β-CTX and low serum levels of 25(OH)D3 might independently indicate high fragile hip fracture risk, and detection of the three markers can help identify high-risk individuals.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Bone Density ; Calcifediol ; blood ; Collagen Type I ; blood ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; diagnosis ; Peptides ; blood ; Procollagen ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of Corbrin shugan capsule for treatment of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis in rats.

METHODSThe rat model of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis was induced by intragastric administration of alcohol repeatedly. The serum procollagen III (PC III), laminin (LN) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels were measured with ELISA, and the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver tissue were determined with colorimetric method. Collagen deposition in liver tissue was observed with Masson's staining, and the fibrosis area was measured with digital medical image analysis system (Motic Med 6.0).

RESULTSCompared with the model control group, the serum TIMP-1 and LN levels and hepatic fibrosis area in liver tissue significantly decreased in Corbrin shugan capsule groups with doses of 0.09,0.27 and 0.45 g*kg(-1), and the serum PC III and the Hyp contents in liver tissue also decreased of Corbrin shugan capsule groups with doses of 0.27 and 0.45g*kg(-1).

CONCLUSIONCorbrin shugan capsule can decrease serum PC III, TIMP-1 and LN levels and Hyp levels in liver tissue and hepatic fibrosis area in rats, indicating it may have therapeutic effect on alcoholic hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Laminin ; blood ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Procollagen ; blood ; Rats ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood