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The relationship of fetuin-A and lactoferrin with bone mass in elderly women
L Chailurkit1, A Kruavit, R Rajatanavin
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rajthevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. ralcl@mahidol.ac.th
Summary:
The relationships of fetuin-A and lactoferrin to bone-related phenotypes were investigated in elderly women. Fetuin-A was associated not only with bone mineral density (BMD) but also with bone resorption marker suggesting an influence of fetuin-A on osteoclasts.
Introduction:
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of bone-related phenotypes in elderly women with circulating fetuin-A and lactoferrin.
Methods:
Eighty-two elderly women were studied. Serum fetuin-A, lactoferrin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, and plasma intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were analyzed. BMD of the lumbar spine at L2-4 and at the femoral neck was measured.
Results:
Serum fetuin-A was significantly associated with L2-4 BMD (r = 0.23, P < 0.05). After controlling for age and body weight, the association remained statistically significant. There was a significant association between serum fetuin-A and serum CTx (r = -0.37, P < 0.001). The association between fetuin-A and L2-4 BMD no longer existed after controlling for serum CTx. There were positive associations of circulating lactoferrin with plasma PTH (r = 0.24, P < 0.05) and serum CTx (r = 0.26, P < 0.05). No association between serum lactoferrin and BMD at the lumbar spine or femoral neck was detected.
Conclusions:
Circulating fetuin-A is related to bone mass and bone resorption markers in elderly women. Lactoferrin, in contrast, is associated only with bone resorption markers.
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