Steroid hormone levels and bone mineral density in women over 65 years of age

Abstract

Previous studies using immunoassays for steroid measurements have focused on the association between steroid hormone levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, obtaining contradictory results. This study aimed to assess this association using a highly sensitive bioanalytical method. A total of 68 postmenopausal women, aged 65–89 years, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Measurements of the BMD of the hip and lumbar spine were performed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serum hormone levels were quantified by gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Associations between estradiol (E2), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and T score levels of the hip and lumbar spine were evaluated, after adjustment for confounding variables. The analysis revealed a statistically significant association between testosterone and the T score of the hip (p = 0.035), but not that of the lumbar spine. No statistically significant associations were found between E2, DHEA, androstenedione and the T scores of the hip and the lumbar spine. Using a highly sensitive hormone assay method, our study identified a significant association between testosterone and BMD of the hip in women over 65 years of age, suggesting that lower testosterone increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Androgen deficiency in hypopituitary women: its consequences and management

“…The effects of androgens on bone health are well known and low serum testosterone has been shown to be associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) in both middle-aged and older women [ 45 – 47 ]. The relative role of direct AR-mediated effects of testosterone on female bone and effects that depends on its aromatase-mediated conversion to estradiol remains unclear [ 48 ].…”

A Review on Cyclodextrins/Estrogens Inclusion Complexes

“…Therefore, this article aims to summarize this topic and draw some conclusions resulting from the already published works. 60 Number of articles published on the studies of estrogen complexes with cyclodextrins Steroids serve a variety of biological purposes, including, among others: constructing the cell membrane (cholesterol and phytosterols) [3], breaking down fats [4], controlling spermatogenesis [5,6] and secondary gender features (male hormones), increasing muscle mass [7], controlling various reproductive processes [8], contraception [9], and bone density (estrone, estradiol, and estriol) [10,11]. The last three compounds belong to the group of endogenous estrogens; however, the list of compounds with estrogen-like properties is much wider, as will be presented in this review.…”