Effect of menopause on bone turn over

Abstract

Women of all ethnic groups show an accelerated phase of bone loss, which occurs for about 10 years after the cessation of ovarian function. Biochemical assays reflect the turnover of entire skeleton; can detect early changes in the bone turnover. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Fifty premenopausal and fifty early postmenopausal women each were selected after the informed consent and 5ml of venous blood was collected. Serum was separated for estimation of total calcium, phosphorous, serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, total protein & albumin. Urinary Hydroxyproline and Urinary calcium were estimated. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. P value <0.05 was considered the level of significance.  Results were expressed as mean ± SD and range values. The serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and Hydroxyproline were significantly increased in early postmenopausal women as compared to that in premenopausal women. From study, we conclude that biochemical markers of bone formation and bone resorption was grossly elevated in early postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women indicating an accelerated bone turnover in this age group.