title: The short term effects of tamoxifen on bone turnover in older women.
abstract: This study examined the effects of tamoxifen (TAM) on biochemical markers of bone turnover in healthy women, 20-30 yr past menopause. Ten women (mean age, 75 yr; range, 70-85 yr) were given TAM (20 mg/day) for 10 weeks. Serum and urine were collected twice at baseline, at weeks 9 and 10 of TAM treatment, and at weeks 9 and 10 post-TAM. Markers of bone formation were serum osteocalcin, total alkaline phosphatase, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and type I procollagen peptide. Markers of bone resorption were fasting urinary calcium, hydroxyproline, pyridinoline, and deoxypyridinoline, all corrected for urinary creatinine. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high density lipoproteins were measured; low density lipoprotein levels were calculated. Pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline decreased during therapy by 23% and 25% and returned to baseline posttherapy (F = 37.01; P = 0.001), with no significant changes in urinary calcium and hydroxyproline. Markers of bone formation declined 17-36%, with a variable return toward baseline (F = 85.56; P < 0.001). Ionized calcium decreased 5% (P < 0.001) and PTH increased 21% (P = 0.05) during TAM treatment. Total cholesterol decreased 15% (P < 0.001), and calculated low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased 22% (P < 0.001); levels of triglycerides and high density lipoprotein did not change significantly. We conclude that short term TAM treatment inhibits bone turnover in women over 70 yr of age.
authors.affiliation: Section of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-5620, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Prestwood
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Pilbeam
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Raisz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013629:Tamoxifen