Familial resemblance of bone turnover rate in men aged 40 and over—the MINOS study

Abstract

Familial resemblance of bone mineral density (BMD) is well known in both sexes. Fewer data concern the familial resemblance of bone turnover markers (BTMs) and bone size in men. Our aim was to assess the correlation of BMD, bone size, BTM levels and hormones regulating bone turnover in 50 pairs of brothers aged ≥ 40 and 50 pairs of unrelated men matched for age, weight and height. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, hip, forearm and whole body. We measured serum osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP), N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) as well as urinary free and total deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and CTX-I. After adjustment for age, weight, bioavailable 17β-estradiol, and parathyroid hormone, all the BTMs (except bone ALP) were significantly correlated in the brothers (ICC = 0.36-0.64). Most of these correlations were significantly stronger than in the unrelated men. Bone size correlated significantly between the brothers (ICC = 0.55-0.65). These correlations were significantly stronger than in the unrelated men. BMD correlated between the brothers at most of the skeletal sites and, for some of them, more strongly than in the unrelated men. Serum levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly correlated in the brothers, but not more strongly than in the unrelated men. BTM levels correlated independently in the brothers aged ≥ 40, when their shared environment was limited. These data suggest a substantial hereditary determinism of the BTM levels in men.

Bone Turnover in Young Adult Men: Cross-Sectional Determinants and Associations With Prospectively Assessed Bone Loss

“…Although the present study was not designed to discriminate whether this familial resemblance is due to genetic or environmental factors, evidence from twin studies suggested an important genetic component . Moreover, between‐brother correlations of bone turnover markers in older men were comparable to those in our population, suggesting that the familial resemblance of bone turnover cannot be entirely accounted for by shared environmental factors …”

Family resemblance of bone turnover rate in mothers and daughters—the MODAM study

“…These data confirm the role of heritability in the variation of bone turnover in men. In 50 pairs of brothers aged ≥40 years (not twins), BTM (OC, PINP, DPD, CTX-I) correlated positively, and their correlations were significant after adjustment for confounders [25].…”