Effect of tobacco consumption on bone mineral density in healthy young males.

Smoking is related to a decreased bone mass and increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Nevertheless, the effect of smoking in males is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the repercussion of smoking on bone mass in otherwise healthy male smokers and its relationship with markers of mineral metabolism and hormone profile. We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in 57 healthy males (26 nonsmokers, 31 smokers; aged 20-45 years) by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic QDR1000) in the lumbar spine and proximal femur. In a subset we measured biochemical markers of bone metabolism and hormonal profile. We found significant differences in BMD between heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes/day) and nonsmokers in all skeletal sites. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (S-DHEAS) were lower in smokers and correlated with femoral BMD measurements. No significant differences in bone turnover markers were found. Our findings show that smoking by healthy young males is associated with decreased bone mass.

Bone mineral density, sex steroids, and mineral metabolism in premenopausal smokers.

Smoking is related to decreased bone mass and increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. However, the harmful effects of smoking on bone have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to assess the repercussions of smoking on bone mass in premenopausal women, and the relationship between these effects and parameters of mineral metabolism and hormone profile. We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in 101 premenopausal women (47 smokers, 54 nonsmokers) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DeXA) of the proximal femur and lumbar spine. In a subgroup of the sample (16 smokers, 15 nonsmokers) we measured biochemical indicators of mineral metabolism and hormone profile. BMD in the femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and the intertrochanter region was significantly lower in smokers (P < 0.05) than in nonsmokers. Concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin were higher, and free testosterone index (FTI) was lower (P < 0.05) in smokers. We found no significant differences between the groups in parameters of mineral metabolism. Concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and free testosterone index were directly correlated with values of BMD in different sites. Our findings show that smoking by premenopausal women is associated with decreased BMD and characteristic changes in the hormone profile.