title: Correlations between C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and body mass index during senile osteoporosis.
abstract: Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (Il-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), as well as body mass index (BMI) were measured in a series of 36 elderly subjects (18 males, 18 females) of mean age 76.8+/-4.5 years, in order to assess whether these parameters are involved in senile osteoporosis (SOP). Bone mineral density was determined, by a dual-emission X-ray absorbimetry (dexa) method on the nondominant radius, as a measure of SOP. These studies revealed the following main results: (i) the female/male ratio of SOP at this age is 4:1; (ii) overweight has a sort of protection against SOP in females; (iii) increased Il-6 and TNF-alpha serum levels when observed in either of the sexes were accompanied by SOP, indicating that these parameters may be involved in provoking and maintaining SOP; (iv) elevated serum CRP levels indicate, in most elderly subjects, the presence of inflammation in SOP which has been considered previously as a merely 'wear and tear'-induced disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Catania University, Ospedale Cannizzaro, Via Messina, 829, I-95126 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maugeri
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franzé
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Destro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Speciale
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santangelo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panebianco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera