ABSTRACT
Variations in sex hormones influence bone health in men. Aging in men is associated with a decrease in testosterone (T) levels. We examined the relationship between T levels and changes in bone health status as measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at the phalanges and the os calcis and by peripheral bone mineral density (pBMD) at the phalanges in healthy elderly Spanish men. We examined 162 men aged 65-88 years and assessed total serum T concentrations. Total serum T < 300 ng/dL was used as the threshold for biochemical T deficiency. The sample was divided into low (n = 66) or normal (n = 96) T levels; both groups were matched for age, weight, height, and body mass index (p > .05 for all the comparisons). All measured bone parameters were higher in the normal serum T group (p < .05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that serum T was an independent predictor of both QUS at the calcaneus and phalangeal pBMD. Our data indicate that T is an independent determinant of QUS at the os calcis and pBMD at the phalanges in elderly Spanish men.
Subject(s)
Bone Density/physiology , Calcaneus/diagnostic imaging , Finger Phalanges/diagnostic imaging , Testosterone/blood , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Humans , Male , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
We studied the effects of moderate physical activity on bone mass in healthy postmenopausal women as assessed by quantitative bone ultrasound. We enrolled a total of 326 postmenopausal women (60.95 ± 8.51 years old and 13.02 ± 9.52 years since menopause) and categorized them by weekly physical activity in their leisure time (sedentary, moderate, and active). We administered a questionnaire on general health and diet and measured bone density by ultrasound on phalanges II-V in the nondominant hand. We found no significant difference in the amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS; p > .05) between sedentary and active women. We concluded that the changes induced by moderate physical activity on bone mass are minimal in healthy postmenopausal women.
