Relation of bone mineral density with homocysteine and cathepsin K levels in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Background:Homocysteine (HCY) interferes with collagen cross-linking in bones and stimulates osteoclast activity. The activated osteoclasts secrete cathepsin K (CathK), a cysteine protease, in eminent quantity during bone resorption. Hyperhomocysteinemia may effect bone mineral density (BMD) through CathK. We, therefore, examined the relation between HCY and BMD along with CathK, 25-hydroxyvit-D (25[OH]D), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and Vitamin B12.Materials and Methods:We recruited a total of 93 postmenopausal women between the age group of 45–60 years, attending the Endocrinology outpatient department at King George's Medical University, Lucknow. BMD was done by DXA scan using Hologic QDR1000 system. Based on the WHO criteria, patients were segregated into three groups as follows; normal bone mass, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. All women underwent routine biochemical laboratory parameters, HCY, Vitamin B12, and CathK levels.Results:Among 93 postmenopausal women, 56% (52) had osteoporosis. Nineteen percent (18) had normal BMD (mean age, 53.22 ± 8.5 years) and 23 (25%) had osteopenia (mean age 52.86 ± 6.67 years). The mean age in the osteoporetic group was 56.2 ± 6.9 years. The median (interquartile range) levels of HCY in the three groups were 14.5 μmol/L (12.2–24.7), 15.05 μmol/L (12.1–19.9) and 13.2 μmol/L (10.3–17.0), respectively. CathK levels were similar in three groups 7.6 ng/ml (7.0–80.5), 8.3 ng/ml (7.3–8.5), and 8.6 ng/ml (7.2–8.9). Both HCY and CathK were found positively associated with serum phosphorus (r = 0.584, P < 2.01 and r = 0.249, P < 0.05, respectively). Levels of HCY positively correlate with PTH (r = 0.303, P < 0.01) and inversely with Vitamin B12 (r = −0.248, P < 0.05). No significant association was seen between CathK level and 25(OH) D, iPTH, serum calcium.Conclusion:Low bone mass by DXA is a significant problem in postmenopausal females. HCY and CathK do not reliably correlate with bone loss in postmenopausal women although phosphorus metabolism may play a role.

Evaluation of bone mineral density and its correlation with homocysteine and other biochemical bone markers in postmenopausal women

“…While some studies show significant negative correlation of Hcy with BMD, some studies do not show such correlation. [10][11][12] Present study did not show any difference in calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase between different BMD groups which is in accordance with different studies by Massé. 13 Though there is a slight negative correlation of calcium with age it is not statistically significant, which is in concordance with the study by Onyeukwu et al 14 High serum homocysteine levels (Hyperhomocysteinemia HHcy) has been implicated as a risk factor for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.…”

Associations between Plasma Folate and Vitamin B12, Blood Lead, and Bone Mineral Density among Adults and Elderly Who Received a Health Examination

“…found that homocysteine was not related to bone loss in postmenopausal women [34,35]. In this study, homocysteine levels in the low plasma folate and vitamin B 12 group were significantly higher than those in the high plasma folate and vitamin B 12 group; however, homocysteine levels were not related to bone loss.…”

Osteoporosis in Indian Patients Undergoing Elective Arthroplasty and Spinal Procedures: An Observational Study

“…In our study, no correlation was observed between the serum homocysteine values and BMD, T-scores, or BMI. Two other studies reinforced this finding, thus demonstrating that serum homocysteine levels were not associated with BMD at either the femoral neck or the lumbar spine and that the associations between the homocysteine levels and fracture risk noted in previous studies were independent of BMD [ 53 , 54 ].…”