Plasma Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase and Calcium Levels, and Bone Mass of the Second Metacarpal in Women: Relation to Body Weight

Abstract

Plasma phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (AIP), and calcium (Ca) levels were measured in 5183 normal women aged from 20 to 79 years, and the metacarpal index (MCI), maximal (△GSmax) and minimal (△GSmin) densities of the second metacarpal were determined by roentgenography in 154 normal and bilaterally‐oophorectomized women, aged from 20 to 74 years. Results from different body‐weight groups were compared according to chronological age and postmenopausal year. Plasma P and AIP levels correlated negatively with body weight, but the percent deviation of these plasma levels from the normal average was approximately 8–10 times higher in the markedly slender group than in the markedly obese group. However, a steady change not found in plasma Ca level. All MCI, △GSmax and △GSmin values correlated positively with body weight, except for an inverse relation in △Gsmax between moderately and markedly obese groups. These results suggest that slender constitution might be responsible for postmenopausal osteoporosis.