Circulating IL-17A Levels in Postmenopausal Women with Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Bone Biology

Background:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common cause of secondary osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• Th17 lymphocytes and their cytokine IL-17A are implicated in bone metabolism and can be activated by parathyroid hormone (PTH).
• Elevated IL-17A mRNA has been observed in peripheral blood T cells of PHPT patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circulating IL-17A levels and the RANKL/OPG ratio as markers of osteoclastogenesis.
• To compare these markers in postmenopausal women with PHPT versus those with non-PHPT osteoporosis.

Main Methods:

• Assessed circulating IL-17A levels and the soluble RANKL/OPG ratio in 50 postmenopausal PHPT women and 20 postmenopausal non-PHPT osteoporotic women.
• Correlated IL-17A levels with PTH, ionized calcium, urine calcium, and bone mineral density (femur neck and total hip T-scores).

Main Results:

• Circulating IL-17A levels were comparable between PHPT and non-PHPT osteoporotic postmenopausal women.
• IL-17A levels did not correlate with PTH but showed negative correlations with ionized calcium and urine calcium.
• IL-17A levels positively correlated with femur neck and total hip T-scores in PHPT women.
• No significant correlation was found between IL-17A and sRANKL, OPG, or the sRANKL/OPG ratio in PHPT women.

Conclusions:

• Circulating IL-17A levels are similar in postmenopausal PHPT and non-PHPT osteoporotic women.
• The relationship between PTH, IL-17A, and bone demineralization is disrupted in postmenopausal PHPT.
• Findings suggest a potential osteogenic role for IL-17A in postmenopausal PHPT.