J Korean Soc Menopause.  2010 Apr;16(1):23-28.

Association between the Total Homocysteine Concentration and the Bone Marrow Density and Bone Turnover Rate in Postmenopausal Women

• Kim BT
• Ahn BH
• Kim KM
• Joo NS
• Kim CW
• Kwon DS
• Lee DJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Hyperhomocysteinemia is related to fractures in the elderlies. We assessed the relationship between serum homocysteine and bone mass, size, and bone turnover rate.
METHODS
This study included 2,670 postmenopausal women who underwent periodic health examinations in Ajou University Health Promotion Center, between January 2002 and December 2003. Serum homocysteine, bone turnover markers and bone mineral density were measured
RESULTS
Patient age, osteocalcin, 25-vit D, total lumbar BMD, total lumbar T-score, the lowest lumbar BMD, the lowest lumbar T-score, femur neck BMD, femur neck T-score, femur trochanteric BMD and femur trochanteric T-score showed a significant correlation with the serum total homocysteine. However, after adjusting for age, the only osteocalcin was significantly correlated with the serum total homocysteine, At the 3rd lumbar vertebra, the BMC, volumetric BMD and areal BMD had a significant correlation with the serum total homocysteine but the bony size and the volume were not significant. After adjusting for age, the 3rd lumbar BMD was significantly correlated with the serum total homocysteine.
CONCLUSION
Serum homocysteine level is correlated significantly with bone turnover rate, less with bone mass but not with bone size.

Keyword

Homocysteine; BMD; Bone size; Bone turnover

MeSH Terms

Bone Density
Bone Marrow
Female
Femur
Femur Neck
Health Promotion
Homocysteine
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia
Osteocalcin
Spine
Homocysteine
Osteocalcin