Changes in bone collagen markers and in bone density in hormone treated and untreated postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to compare bone mineral density measurements (BMD), pyridinium crosslink levels and pyridinium crosslink levels in untreated and hormone treated postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study comparing biophysical (BMD) and biochemical (pyridinium crosslink and PCICP) parameters in a group of untreated postmenopausal women (n = 145) to a group of postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (n = 92).


RESULTS
Untreated postmenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women on HRT had higher Osteoblastic and Osteoclastic activity. Procollagen I C-end terminal peptide (PCICP) was 11.3% lower in the women on HRT compared to controls whilst crosslinks were 27.2% lower than in controls. This seems to indicate that women on HRT had a bone balance that was higher compared to the control group (15.9%). The difference in bone density of L2-L4 between the two groups was (16.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study seems to indicate that postmenopausal women receiving HRT readjust their bone remodelling so that although osteoblastic function is reduced, there is a much greater deduction in osteoclastic function and this results in an overall higher bone mass observed in the BMD of women on HRT.
Brincat
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Luke's Hospital Medical School, University of Malta, Gwarda Mangia, Malta.
Galea
R
R
Baron
Y M
YM
Xuereb
A
A
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; C042813:procollagen type I carboxy terminal peptide; D009644:Norgestrel