title: [Clinical usefulness of bone turnover markers in the management of osteoporosis].
abstract: Osteoporosis is a state of elevated risk for bone fracture due to depressed bone strength, which is considered to be the sum of bone mineral density and bone quality. Since a measure of bone quality has not been established, bone mineral density and bone turnover markers are the only way to evaluate bone strength. Bone turnover markers are classified into bone formation marker and resorption marker, which are correlated with the bone formation rate and resorption rate, respectively, and bone matrix-related marker. Bone is always metabolized; old tissue is resorbed by acids and proteases derived from osteoclasts, whereas new bone is produced by osteoblasts. Bone formation and resorption rates should be balanced (also called coupled). When the bone resorption rate exceeds the formation rate(uncoupled state), bone volume will be reduced. Thus, we can comprehend bone metabolism by measuring both formation and resorption markers at the same time. Increased fracture risk is recognized by elevated bone resorption markers and undercarboxylated osteocalcin, which reflects vitamin K insufficiency and bone turnover. These values and the time course give us helpful information to choose medicine suitable for the patients and to judge the responsiveness. If the value is extraordinarily high without renal failure, metabolic bone disorder or bone metastatic tumor should be considered. Bone quality may be assessed by measuring bone matrix-related markers such as homocystein and pentosidine. Since recent studies indicate that the bone is a hormone-producing organ, it is possible that glucose metabolism or an unknown mechanism could be assessed in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo 693-8501, Japan. syano@med.shimane-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shozo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015675:Osteocalcin