Early bone mineral density decrease is associated with FSH and LH, not estrogen

Clin Chim Acta. 2013 Jan 16:415:69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2012.10.005. Epub 2012 Oct 11.

Abstract

Background: It remains unclear whether gonadotropins or estrogen is responsible for early bone mineral density (BMD) decrease in Chinese women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 368 healthy adult women, aged 35-60 years. We measured BMD, calculated BMD decrease rates (BDRs) and assessed serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E(2)) levels.

Results: BDR was significantly negatively correlated with serum FSH (r=-0.429 to -0.622, all p=0.000) and LH (r=-0.359 to -0.526, all p=0.000). After adjustment for age and body mass index, the negative correlations of serum FSH and LH with BDR persisted, but there was no overall correlation between serum E(2) and BDR. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis suggested that serum FSH is a negative determinant of BDR. Serum E(2) seems to be a positive determinant of BDR in a few parts of the skeleton.

Conclusions: The decrease of BMD during the menopause is associated with FSH and LH levels, rather than E(2) in Chinese women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Asian People
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bone Density
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Estradiol / blood*
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Perimenopause / blood*
  • Perimenopause / ethnology
  • Postmenopause / blood*
  • Postmenopause / ethnology
  • Premenopause / blood*
  • Premenopause / ethnology

Substances

  • Estradiol
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone