title: Beta 2-microglobulin in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
abstract: The so-called bone-derived growth factor, or beta 2-microglobulin, has a regulatory function in bone metabolism, stimulating osteoclastic activity. Osteoclastic activity is enhanced in postmenopausal osteoporosis, suggesting that beta 2-microglobulin concentration may also be increased in this disease. beta 2-microglobulin concentration was found to be raised (P < 0.001) in 30 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis as compared with 30 normal women of similar age; tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentration also was raised (P < 0.001), and total body bone mineral content was decreased (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed a highly negative correlation result between total body bone mineral content and beta 2-microglobulin (r = 0.577, P < 0.001), and a positive correlation result between beta 2-microglobulin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentration (r2 = 0.806, P < 0.001). These findings, and the stimulatory effect of beta 2-microglobulin on osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, suggest that beta 2-microglobulin may play an important role as a local regulatory factor in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rico
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ripoll
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Revilla
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Relea
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Villa
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000503:physiopathology; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D000135:Acid Phosphatase