The relationship of fetuin-A and lactoferrin with bone mass in elderly women.
CONCLUSIONS
The relationships of fetuin-A and lactoferrin to bone-related phenotypes were investigated in elderly women. Fetuin-A was associated not only with bone mineral density (BMD) but also with bone resorption marker suggesting an influence of fetuin-A on osteoclasts.


BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of bone-related phenotypes in elderly women with circulating fetuin-A and lactoferrin.


METHODS
Eighty-two elderly women were studied. Serum fetuin-A, lactoferrin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, and plasma intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were analyzed. BMD of the lumbar spine at L2-4 and at the femoral neck was measured.


RESULTS
Serum fetuin-A was significantly associated with L2-4 BMD (r = 0.23, P < 0.05). After controlling for age and body weight, the association remained statistically significant. There was a significant association between serum fetuin-A and serum CTx (r = -0.37, P < 0.001). The association between fetuin-A and L2-4 BMD no longer existed after controlling for serum CTx. There were positive associations of circulating lactoferrin with plasma PTH (r = 0.24, P < 0.05) and serum CTx (r = 0.26, P < 0.05). No association between serum lactoferrin and BMD at the lumbar spine or femoral neck was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating fetuin-A is related to bone mass and bone resorption markers in elderly women. Lactoferrin, in contrast, is associated only with bone resorption markers.
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rajthevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. ralcl@mahidol.ac.th
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Chailurkit
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Kruavit
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Rajatanavin
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Ongphiphadhanakul
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000097:blood*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000097:blood*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / Q000378:metabolism*
C556354:AHSG protein, human; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; C047202:procollagen Type I N-terminal peptide; D007781:Lactoferrin