Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Postmenoposal Osteoporosis and Osteopenia: The Relation With Biochemical Markers of Bone-Turnover - Original Investigation

The present stduy was planned to investigate the relations of bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover with plasma levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate in postmenaposal women. The study was performed in 148 osteoporotic and 75 osteopenic postmenopausal patients. Control group included 61 age-matched healthy postmenopausal women with normal bone mineral density. Plasma homocysteine, serum vitamin B12, folate levels, biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption and lomber vertebra (L2-L4) bone mineral density were determined in study groups. In osteoporotic group, plasma homocysteine levels and both serum and urine markers of bone resorption were found to be increased and, vitamin B12 levels which were found to be significantly decreased had a significant correlation with osteocalcin levels. Althought less marked, similar findings were obtained in osteopenic group, as well. In summary, it was concluded that the reduction in vitamin-B12 levels in osteoporotic postmenaposal women may cause negative effects on bone tissue both by increasing bone resorption indirectly through an increment in homocysteine levels and by a reduction in the direct stimulatory effect of vitamin-B12 on osteoblast and may contribute to development of osteoporosis by shifting the balance between bone formation and resorption in favor of the latter. Therefore, it was suggested that determination of plasma homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels and vitamin B12 supplementation in deficient cases might be useful in treatment of osteoporosis. (Osteoporoz Dünyasından 2006; 12 (2): 22-26