Magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Can magnesium play a key role in osteoporosis?
BACKGROUND
There has been a resurgence of interest in studies concerning the role of elements in the development and maintenance of the skeleton. The aim of the study was to assess the plasma and red blood concentrations of some elements in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.


METHODS
Seventy-seven postmenopausal women with osteoporosis aged 61 years (median interquartile range, 7.5; range, 46 to 74) and 61 age- and BMI-matched healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 years (median interquartile range, 8.0; range, 44 to 76) were included in the study. Element concentrations in plasma and red blood cells including magnesium (Mg), zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and healthy postmenopausal women.


RESULTS
Only statistically significant difference between the osteoporotic (51.51 [15.40] microg/mL) and healthy subjects (54.54 [15.42] microg/mL) was observed in red blood cell (RBC) magnesium concentration (Z=-2.07, P=0.039). However, no significant difference was found between patient and control groups, both in plasma and in red blood concentrations, for zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.


CONCLUSIONS
Mg levels in red blood cells are significantly lower in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. It is concluded that Mg transport mechanism(s) into the cell could be affected in patients with osteoporosis.
Odabasi
Ersin
E
Gulhane School of Medicine, Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, Ankara, Turkey. ersinodabasi@hotmail.com
Turan
Mustafa
M
Aydin
Ahmet
A
Akay
Cemal
C
Kutlu
Mustafa
M
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D014421:Turkey; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D012643:Selenium; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc