title: The effect of circulating androgens on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a common problem in postmenopausal period. Recent studies have suggested that endogenous and exogenous androgens may influence the bone mineral density in women. There is limited data about the effect of circulating androgens on bone density in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of circulating androgens of ovarian and adrenal origin on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 178 postmenopausal women, who had never been treated with hormonal therapy or calciotropic agents. Serum free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and androstenedione levels and their relationship with bone mass (dual X-ray absorptiometry) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum free testosterone and DHEAS levels were correlated positively with bone mineral density at lumbar spine and femoral neck (P < 0.001). However, stepwise linear regression analyses revealed a differential effect of androgens on bone density. Serum free testosterone was among the independent predictor of bone density at lumbar spine (trabecular bone), whereas serum DHEAS level was of bone density at femoral neck (cortical bone).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that endogenous androgens are influential on bone density in postmenopausal women. However, regression analyses revealed a differential effect of androgens on different bone types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. tokekrem@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ekrem C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Tok
authors.forename: Devrim
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ertunc
authors.forename: Utku
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: Handan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Camdeviren
authors.forename: Gulay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Saffet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dilek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate