[Endocrine-metabolic aspects of rarefying osteopathy of patients with cirrhosis]

Hepatic diseases and particularly cholestasis are well known to affect bone metabolism and induce osteoporosis. We have studied bone metabolism in normal volunteers and in 20 patients with non alcoholic liver cirrhosis without cholestasis, classified stage "B" according to Child's classification. A reduced bone density as measured by mineralometry was observed in patients as compared to controls. Serum osteocalcin and urinary hydroxyproline levels were consistent with the "low turnover" osteoporosis type of osteopathy. The major determinants of the bony loss seem to be low blood testosterone and the consequent reduced metabolism in cirrhotics.