title: Bone remodeling during pregnancy and post-partum assessed by metal lead levels and isotopic concentrations.
abstract: Bone remodeling is normally evaluated using bone turnover markers/indices as indicators of bone resorption and formation. However, during pregnancy and post-partum, there have been inconsistent results between and within biomarkers for bone formation and resorption. These differences may relate to pregnancy-related changes in metabolism and/or hemodilution altering measured marker levels. An alternative approach to evaluating bone remodeling is to use the metal lead (Pb) concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions in blood. These measurements can also provide information on the amount of Pb that is mobilized from the maternal skeleton. Despite some similarities with accepted bone turnover markers, the Pb data demonstrate increased bone resorption throughout pregnancy that further continues post-partum independent of length of breast-feeding, dietary intake and resumption of menses. Furthermore the isotopic measurements are not affected by hemodilution. These data confirm calcium balance studies that indicate increased bone resorption throughout pregnancy and lactation. They also indicate potentially major public health implications of the transfer of maternal Pb burden to the fetus and new born.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Energy Flagship, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: brian.gulson@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gulson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia. Electronic address: alan.taylor@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, School of Medicine Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of New South Wales, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, School of Medicine Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: j.eisman@garvan.org.au.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eisman
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007854:Lead
keywords: Bone; Epigenetics; Fetal exposure; Lead; Lead isotopic; Markers; Remodeling