English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Disease of the bone, particularly osteoporosis, represents a major health care problem predominantly affecting women. There are various markers of bone turnover including markers for bone formation and bone resorption. Osteocalcin is a bone Gla protein synthesized by osteoblasts is found to increase in osteoporosis. In our study serum osteocalcin level was measured in pre and post menopausal women and also in osteoporotic women. MATERIALS & METHODS: Ninety individuals were included in this study and classified as three groups. Group A - 30 Pre menopausal women, Group B - 30 Post menopausal women and Group C - 30- Osteoporosis women. The above subjects were confirmed by Dexa Scan for osteoporosis. Serum sample was collected and osteocalcin were measured in all women by ELISA method. RESULTS: The serum Osteocalcin level was found to be increased in post menopausal and Osteoporotic individuals when compared to the pre menopausal women. CONCLUSION: The increased level of serum osteocalcin in post menopausal women may be a predictor for future risk for osteoporosis. To support this view, an extended study is absolutely essential. INTRODUCTION: The ultimate challenge facing health care providers is the quest for comprehensive treatments for chronic diseases within a framework of reduced patient access and limited financial resources. Osteoporosis is one of those diseases. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and by architectural deterioration of bone tissue, the two factors related to abnormalities of bone turnover1. It is easy to diagnose osteoporosis in a patient with fracture. A more difficult but potentially more important approach is to diagnose osteoporosis before the occurrence of fracture. Basic and molecular studies of skeletal remodeling system have produced a wealth of new information about the osteoporotic process. Clinical studies employing new bone specific agents have generated tremendous enthusiasm for newer therapeutic options as well as providing a greater understanding of the spectrum of metabolic bone diseases. This expanded knowledge base has set the stage for even greater technological thrusts aimed at earlier diagnosis and cost effective treatment2. Bone formation and bone resorption are altered in most metabolic diseases like osteoporosis. The abnormalities have been characterized by bone histo-morphometry on iliac crest biopsy which allows both quantitative assessment of bone turnover at the cell and tissue level. Until recently the only available markers were total serum alkaline phosphatase for monitoring bone formation and urinary hydroxyproline for monitoring bone resorption. Both of them are not specific for bone tissue, as they are unable to detect the small increase in bone turnover. To overcome these problems, efforts were made in recent years to develop new and more specific markers of bone turnover. The rate of bone formation or degradation can be assessed by measuring the enzyme activity of osteoblastic or osteoclastic cells or by measuring components of the bone matrix released