Serum levels of aminoterminal propeptides of type I collagen indicating osteoporsis in early postmenopausal women with correlation to bone densitometry

ABSTRACT

To reduce accelerated bone loss in early postmenopause and to minimize the risk of fracture, a variety of antiresorptive treatments [e.g. calcium, calcitonin, estrogen and bisphosphonates] was used. Among the different bone resorption markers, degradation products of type I collagen have demonstrated their superiority. The serum levels of aminoterminal propeptides [PINP] of type I collagen were determined in the sera of 60 healthy postmenopausal women subjected to densitometric measurements of lumber vertebrae to indicate osteoporosis. Bone mineral densitometry [BMD] was most strongly associated with the serum levels of propeptides type I collagen. The value of PINP may be used as an indicator not only for the treatment evaluation but also as a predictor of the risk of occurrence of hip or spine bone fractures