title: Serum osteoprotegerin and sex steroid levels in patients with prostate cancer.
abstract: The relationship between sex steroids and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients  with prostate cancer is not well established. Our aim was to evaluate serum  OPG levels in patients with prostate cancer and its relationship with sex  steroids, bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, and fractures. We  performed a cross-sectional study including 91 patients with prostate cancer.  We determined: bone mineral density by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bone  turnover markers, serum levels of sex steroids and osteoprotegerin, and  prevalent radiographic vertebral fractures. Serum OPG levels were higher in  patients with vertebral fractures (8.02 ± 2.0 vs 4.91 ± 0.28  pmol/L; P < .05). OPG level and the duration of hormonal therapy  were related (r = 0.299, P = .004), but this association did  not persist after adjustment for age. In patients without androgen deprivation  therapy, serum OPG levels were correlated with the levels of total  testosterone (r = 0.508, P = .001) and bioavailable  testosterone (r = 0.311, P = .037). In patients receiving  androgen deprivation therapy, serum OPG levels were correlated with levels of  total estradiol (r = 0.199, P = .18), bioavailable estradiol  (r = 0.37, P = .009), and free estradiol (r =  0.349, P = .016). In conclusion, in patients with prostate cancer  treated with androgen deprivation therapy, serum OPG levels were correlated  with the levels of total estradiol, bioavailable estradiol, and free  estradiol. Our hypothesis is that in patients with androgen deprivation  therapy, the higher relative estrogen levels could stimulate OPG production in  response to the higher resorption state. Future prospective studies are needed  to clarify the role of OPG in androgen deprivation therapy-mediated bone  loss.
authors: Bone Metabolic Unit (RETICEF), Endocrinology Division, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Avda Dr Oloriz 16, 18012 Granada, Spain.
authors: Mariela
authors: M
authors: Varsavsky
authors: Rebeca
authors: R
authors: Reyes-Garcia
authors: Maria Dolores
authors: MD
authors: Avilés Perez
authors: Amanda Rocio
authors: AR
authors: Gonzalez Ramírez
authors: Jose Luis
authors: JL
authors: Mijan
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Muñoz-Torres
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol