Magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Can magnesium play a key role in osteoporosis?

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>There has been a resurgence of interest in studies concerning the role of elements in the development and maintenance of the skeleton. The aim of the study was to assess the plasma and red blood concentrations of some elements in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Seventy-seven postmenopausal women with osteoporosis aged 61 years (median interquartile range, 7.5; range, 46 to 74) and 61 age- and BMI-matched healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 years (median interquartile range, 8.0; range, 44 to 76) were included in the study. Element concentrations in plasma and red blood cells including magnesium (Mg), zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and healthy postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Only statistically significant difference between the osteoporotic (51.51 [15.40] microg/mL) and healthy subjects (54.54 [15.42] microg/mL) was observed in red blood cell (RBC) magnesium concentration (Z=-2.07, P=0.039). However, no significant difference was found between patient and control groups, both in plasma and in red blood concentrations, for zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mg levels in red blood cells are significantly lower in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. It is concluded that Mg transport mechanism(s) into the cell could be affected in patients with osteoporosis.</p>

Surgical management strategies in patients with primary hyperparathroidism: Which technique in which patients?

This study was planned to investigate the efficacy of either 99mTc-sestamibi scan or ultrasonography in predicting the operative treatment in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism [PHPT]. Subjects and Method: Thirty patients [25 female, 5 male; mean age: 53 years] being operated for symptomatic primary PHPT were included in this study. Ultrasonography was used in 29 patients while 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy was done in 28 patients to localize the hyperfunctioning gland[s]. Standard bilateral neck exploration was done in 6 patients. Although unilateral intervention had been planned for 24 patients, bilateral intervention was performed in 9 of them. Sensitivity of 99mTc-sestamibi was 81%, while that of ultrasonography was 42%. 99mTc-sestamibi localization method led to misleading results in 10/28 [35.7%] patients. False-positive localization and accompanying thyroid pathologies played an important role in determining transition from unilateral to bilateral intervention. Our findings indicate that bilateral intervention remains a successful management option without prior localization in patients with PHPT especially in an endemic goiter region