Changes of Bone Formation Markers Osteocalcin and Bone‐Specific Alkaline Phosphatase in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

Abstract

The relationship between bone formation markers osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and age in postmenopausal women was investigated. Forty-eight osteoporotic women (median age 62, range 49-76 years) were enrolled in the study. There were 17 (35%) patients aged 49-59 years (Group A), and 31 (65%) patients aged over 59 years (Group B). Parathyroid hormone, calcium, and creatinine serum levels did not differ significantly between groups. Compared with Group A, patients in Group B had higher levels of both OC (28.5 +/- 17.8 versus 46.2 +/- 19.3 ng/mL; P= 0.003) and bALP (57.3 +/- 12.4 versus 66.4 +/- 8.7 U/L; P= 0.005). A significant relationship between age and both OC (R= 0.49, P= 0.002) and bALP (R= 0.41, P= 0.009) was found only in Group B, but there was no relationship with bone mineral density. In conclusion, in postmenopausal women the increase of bone formation markers later in life may be an expression of increased bone turnover, which is partially the cause of osteoporosis.

Bone biomarker for the clinical assessment of osteoporosis: recent developments and future perspectives

“…[27] With osteoporosis, the BALP activity of 66.4 ± 8.7 U/L has been detected with women aged over 59 years [28]. As an indicator of osteoblastic activity, the measurement of BALP is applied as the assistance for the management of osteoporosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.…”

Bone mechanical properties and changes with osteoporosis

“…Thus, alterations to the matrix composition of both collagenous and non-collagenous proteins may alter bone biomechanical properties. Increased serum osteocalcin and osteopontin has been reported in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis compared to healthy controls [109,110]. …”

Site-Specific Variations in Bone Mineral Density under Systemic Conditions Inducing Osteoporosis in Minipigs

“…This might be explained by decreased bone formation due to supressed osteoblast activity (Lukert et al, 1986; Prummel et al, 1991). Clinically, a statistically significant correlation between bone alkaline phosphatase as well as osteocalcin levels and the age was found in postmenopausal women (Lumachi et al, 2009). However, a correlation between these bone markers and the BMD was not observed.…”