Assessment of bone metabolism in obese women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bone metabolism in obese women by the estimation of selected markers of bone formation. METHODS: The concentration of plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) and selected markers of bone formation [osteocalcin (BGP) in plasma, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in blood serum] and bone resorption [cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) in blood serum and urinary excretion of calcium (Ca)] in 18 extremely obese women (BMI>40 kg/m2) with android phenotype (WHR>0.8) and in 20 healthy women with normal body weight. The age range of all subjects was 25 to 42 years (mean: 36.82 + 3.95). RESULTS: All obese women showed significantly increased concentration of plasma PTH, BGP and serum PICP, ICTP and elevated urinary excretion of Ca. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results show that in extremely obese women with android phenotype bone metabolism disturbances may occur pointing at increased bone formation and resorption.