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Increased bone turnover in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Takafumi Majima1, Akira Shimatsu, Yasato Komatsu

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Institute for Endocrine Metabolic Diseases, National Hospital Organization, Kyoto Medical Center, Japan.

Endocrine Journal
|January 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hypercholesterolemia is linked to increased bone turnover in both men and women. This suggests managing high cholesterol may prevent bone loss and fractures, alongside vascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Osteoporosis and arteriosclerotic vascular diseases share potential links, possibly through hypercholesterolemia or dyslipidemia.
  • The precise relationship between osteoporosis and hypercholesterolemia remains unclear.
  • Understanding this connection is crucial for comprehensive disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of hypercholesterolemia on bone metabolism.
  • To measure bone turnover markers in hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 281 Japanese hypercholesterolemic patients and 267 controls.
  • Measured serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx).
  • Analyzed correlations between bone markers and lipid profiles (HDL-C, total cholesterol, LDL-C).

Main Results:

  • Hypercholesterolemic women showed significantly higher BAP than controls.
  • Both men and women with hypercholesterolemia had significantly higher NTx levels.
  • Bone turnover markers correlated differently with lipid profiles in men versus women.

Conclusions:

  • Hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia are associated with increased bone turnover in both genders.
  • Managing dyslipidemia may be important for preventing osteoporotic bone loss and fractures.
  • This highlights a potential dual benefit of lipid-lowering therapies for vascular and bone health.

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