Study of the relation of interleukin-6, essential fatty acids, and estrogen in bone metabolism in elderly women

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate and assess the relation of interleukin-6, essential fatty acids, and estrogen to the development of osteoporosis in women of different age groups. This study was carried on 40 women divided in two groups the first group [GI] included 20 apparently healthy women above 65 years and the second group [GII] included 20 healthy women between 20-30 years of age. Serum osteocalcin, estrogen, interleukin-6 by ELISA, Urinary hydroxyproline by ELISA, essential fatty acid in the blood by Gas Liquid Chromatography, serum calcium, and phosphorus were estimated as well as bone density. The current study revealed a significant decrease of serum estrogen in GI when compared to GII [p<0.05], a significant increase of serum interleukin-6, osteocalcin, urinary hydroxyproline in GI when compared to GII [p<0.05], a significant decrease of bone density in GI when compared to GII [p<0.05]. A significant strong positive correlation between interleukin-6 and bone density in both groups were found. From this study, it is concluded that low estrogen level and high interleukin-6 could be used as a predictor for the occurrence of low bone density and the production of osteoporosis with the subsequent occurrence of fractures in post menopausal women