Markers In Postmenopausal Women Research Articles

Relationship among plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, bone mineral density, metabolic and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Relationship among plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, bone mineral density, metabolic and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women: A randomised controlled clinical trial

Low levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in type 2 diabetic patients and cause several complications particularly, in postmenopausal women due to their senile and physiological conditions. This study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group clinical trial, 59 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes received fortified yogurt (FY; 2000IU vitamin D in 100g/day) or plain yogurt (PY) for 12 weeks. Glycemic markers, anthropometric indexes, inflammatory, and bone turnover markers were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. After intervention, in FY group (vs PY group), were observed: significant increase in serum 25(OH)D and decrease of PTH (stable values in PY); significant improvement in serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, and no changes in serum fasting glucose and HbA1c (significant worsening of all indexes in PY); significant improvement in WC, WHR, FM, and no change in weight and BMI (stable values in PY); significant increase of omentin (stable in PY) and decrease of sNTX (significant increase in PY). Final values of glycemic markers (except HbA1c), omentin, and bone turnover markers significantly improved in FY group compared to PY group. Regarding final values of serum 25(OH)D in FY group, subjects were classified in insufficient and sufficient categories. Glycemic status improved more significantly in the insufficient rather than sufficient category; whereas the other parameters had more amelioration in the sufficient category. Daily consumption of 2000IU vitamin D-fortified yogurt for 12 weeks improved glycemic markers (except HbA1c), anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. www.irct.ir (IRCT2013110515294N1).

Cathepsin K antagonists: preclinical and clinical data

Cathepsin K, a cysteine protease, is an essential enzyme in degradation of collagen type I. Since cathepsin K is relatively specific to osteoclasts, it represents a promising candidate for drug development. In the past decades, efforts have been made in developing highly potent, selective and orally applicable cathepsin K inhibitors. In contrast to balicatib and relacatib, whose drug development programmes were stopped due to cutaneous side-effects related to limited drug specificity, the more specific cathepsin K inhibitors odanacatib (ODN) and ONO-5334 have entered clinical trials. Odanacatib progressively increases bone mineral density (BMD) and decreases bone resorption markers in postmenopausal women with low BMD. Its clinical efficacy and safety was confirmed by several clinical studies but indicates that odanacatib is characterized by a resolution-of-effect with increases in bone resorption and rapid decreases in BMD following treatment discontinuation. A phase III fracture prevention study in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis is currently in the final phase.

Effects of omega-3 on metabolic markers in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet alone or combined with omega-3 supplementation on metabolic and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.Methods This randomized, controlled trial included 87 Brazilian women (age ≥ 45 years and with amenorrhea ≥ 12 months). Exclusion criteria were: cardiovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases and use of either statins or hormone therapy. Participants were randomized to diet alone (n = 43, control) or diet plus omega-3 supplementation, 900 mg/day orally (n = 44). All women were provided with an individualized dietary prescription. Clinical, anthropometrical (body mass index and waist circumference) and biochemical variables were measured. The inflammatory profile included C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6). The intervention time was 6 months, with assessments at initiation and completion. Data were analyzed according to intention-to-treat, using the independent t-test and ANOVA.Results There were significant reductions in body mass index and waist circumference in both groups (p < 0.05) without significant changes in body fat or muscle mass. Intervention with diet plus omega-3 was associated with significant reduction in systolic (< 12.2%) and diastolic (< 8.2%) blood pressure, serum triglyceride concentration (< 21.4%), and insulin resistance (< 13.1%) (p < 0.05), as well as a reduction in serum IL-6 concentration (< 28.5%) (p = 0.034).Conclusion In postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, dietary intervention plus supplementation of omega-3 resulted in a further decrease in triglycerides and blood pressure and also in an improvement in insulin resistance and inflammatory markers, important components of metabolic syndrome.

Effects of alendronate and vitamin D in patients with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism.

No data on the pharmacological treatment of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) are available. We treated 30 NPHPT postmenopausal women with alendronate/cholecalciferol (treated group) or vitamin D alone (control group). Over 1 year, bone mineral density (BMD) increased significantly in treated group, but not in control group. Both treatments did not affect serum or urinary calcium. Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) is defined by normal serum calcium and consistently elevated PTH levels after ruling out the causes of secondary hyperparathyroidism. It is likely that subjects with NPHPT may develop kidney and bone disease. As no data on the pharmacological treatment of NPHPT are available, we aimed to investigate the effects of alendronate and cholecalciferol on both BMD and bone biochemical markers in postmenopausal women with NPHPT. Safety of vitamin D was evaluated as secondary endpoint. The study was a prospective open label randomized trial comparing 15 postmenopausal women with NPHPT (PMW-NPHPT), treated with oral alendronate plus cholecalciferol (treated group) and 15 PMW-NPHPT treated only with cholecalciferol (control group). Blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Bone turnover markers (BTM) were measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months, respectively. BMD was assessed at baseline and after 12 months. After 1 year of treatment, BMD increased significantly at the lumbar, femoral neck, and hip level in the treated group, but not in the control group (p = 0.001). No differences were found between or within groups in serum calcium, PTH, and urinary calcium levels. BTM significantly decreased in the treated group but not in the control group, at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.001), respectively. No cases of hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria were detected during the study. The results of this study indicate that alendronate/cholecalciferol increases BMD in postmenopausal women with NPHPT. Alendronate/cholecalciferol or vitamin D alone does not affect serum or urinary calcium.

Efficacy of a Once-Monthly Pill Containing Ibandronate and Cholecalciferol on the Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis.

BackgroundThe present study evaluated the efficacy of a combination of ibandronate and cholecalciferol on the restoration of the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and various bone markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.MethodsThis was a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, prospective 16-week clinical trial conducted in 20 different hospitals. A total of 201 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were assigned randomly to one of two groups: the IBN group, which received a once-monthly pill containing 150 mg ibandronate (n=99), or the IBN+ group, which received a once-monthly pill containing 150 mg ibandronate and 24,000 IU cholecalciferol (n=102). Serum levels of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and various bone markers were assessed at baseline and at the end of a 16-week treatment period.ResultsAfter 16 weeks of treatment, the mean serum levels of 25(OH)D significantly increased from 21.0 to 25.3 ng/mL in the IBN+ group but significantly decreased from 20.6 to 17.4 ng/mL in the IBN group. Additionally, both groups exhibited significant increases in mean serum levels of PTH but significant decreases in serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) at 16 weeks; no significant differences were observed between the groups. However, in subjects with a vitamin D deficiency, IBN+ treatment resulted in a significant decrease in serum CTX levels compared with IBN treatment.ConclusionThe present findings demonstrate that a once-monthly pill containing ibandronate and cholecalciferol may be useful for the amelioration of vitamin D deficiency in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Moreover, this treatment combination effectively decreased serum levels of resorption markers, especially in subjects with a vitamin D deficiency, over the 16-week treatment period.

Clinical review: The benefits and harms of systemic dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) therapy has been proposed to replenish the depletion of endogenous DHEA and its sulfate form, which occurs with advancing age and is thought to be associated with loss of libido and menopausal symptoms. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence supporting the use of systemic DHEA in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus through January 2014. Pairs of reviewers, working independently, selected studies and extracted data from eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used the random-effects model to pool across studies and evaluated heterogeneity using the I(2) statistic. We included 23 RCTs with moderate to high risk of bias enrolling 1188 women. DHEA use was not associated with significant improvement in libido or sexual function (standardized mean difference, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, -0.02 to 0.73; P value = .06; I(2) = 62%). There was also no significant effect of DHEA on serious adverse effects, serum lipids, serum glucose, weight, body mass index, or bone mineral density. This evidence warranted low confidence in the results, mostly due to imprecision, risk of bias, and inconsistency across RCTs. Evidence warranting low confidence suggests that DHEA administration does not significantly impact sexual symptoms or selected metabolic markers in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function.

Interrelationships between obesity and bone markers in post-menopausal women with either obesity or osteoporosis

PurposeObesity and bone metabolism are interrelated. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between obesity and bone markers, leptin and insulin resistance in post-menopausal osteoporosis. Material and methodsFour study groups were included in the study. Group 1 (n=19): osteoporosis (T-score<–2.5 at the lumbar spine and/or femoral neck)+obese; group 2 (n=29): non-osteoporosis+obese; group 3 (n=25): osteoporosis+non-obese and as control group (n=14): non-osteoporosis+non-obese. The serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG; osteoclastogenic marker), RECEPTOR activator of nuclear factor ligand (RANKL; osteoclastic marker), tartarate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP; osteoclastic marker), bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP; osteoblastic marker) and leptin were measured by ELISA. Glucose and insulin levels were analyzed by colorimetric and electrochemiluminescence methods. ResultsOPG and b-ALP levels were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Comparison of group 1 with group 3 revealed significantly higher leptin levels in the former (P<0.001). OPG, TRAP, RANKL, bone ALP were significantly lower (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.01) and leptin levels higher (P<0.05) in group 1 compared to control group. Comparison of group 3 with control group revealed significantly lower values of OPG, RANKL, bone ALP, TRAP for the patient group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.001). OPG, RANKL, bone ALP, TRAP levels were significantly lower (for each P<0.01) and leptin levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in group 2 compared to control group. ConclusionOsteoprotegerin, TRAP, RANKL, bone ALP and leptin levels can be used as significant markers in the development of osteoporosis and/or obesity in post-menopausal women.

The effects of omega-3 plus vitamin E and zinc plus vitamin C supplementation on cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

We investigate the effects of omega-3 plus vitamin E and vitamin C plus zinc supplementations on cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 75 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to one of three groups to take, daily, for 12 weeks: (1) 1.8 g omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 mg vitamin E; (2) 5 mg zinc plus 300 mg vitamin C; or (3) a placebo. Although the cardiovascular risk markers variations decreased at the end of intervention, we did not find any significant differences in cardiovascular risk markers between therapeutic groups and the control group. Results of repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) of markers showed that total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, Apo A1 and Apo B100 in two time periods were significant (p = 0.001). The level of total and LDL cholesterol decreased significantly (p = 0.05) in patients diagnosed with diabetes equal or less than 7 years in the group receiving omega-3 plus vitamin E. However, decreased LDL cholesterol (p = 0.003) and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p = 0.03) were predominant in patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes equal or less than 7 years in the group receiving zinc plus vitamin C. The effectiveness of nutraceutical supplementation was varied on biochemical biomarkers based on the kind of supplement or supplement pharmacogenomics, duration of diabetes affected and other pathophysiologic status in studied groups.

Influence of vitamin D status on the effect of statins on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

This study sought to assess whether the association between statin use and bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers is modulated by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in postmenopausal women. Design, Participants, and Settings: Approximately 1422 postmenopausal women were recruited from the Camargo Cohort after excluding those with any known medical disorder or drug that might affect bone metabolism. Participants were categorized into four groups: 25OHD levels of 20 ng/mL or less and not taking statins (group 1; n = 492); 25OHD levels greater than 20 ng/mL and on statins (group 2; n = 143); 25OHD levels of 20 ng/mL or less and using statins (group 3; n = 112); and 2OHD levels greater than 20 ng/mL and non-statin use (group 4; n = 675). Multivariate analyses were performed to compare BMD and bone turnover markers between groups. Women in group 2 had an adjusted femoral neck and total hip BMD higher than women in group 1 (P < .0001 and P = .003, respectively). A trend toward a significant difference was observed regarding lumbar BMD (P = .08). Serum aminoterminal propeptide of type 1 collagen and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen levels were lower in group 2 than in group 1, in crude and adjusted models, although only serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen difference was significant (P = .009). Women on statins and serum 25OHD levels above 20 ng/mL have greater BMD and less bone resorption than those without either of the factors. Differences, however, are not significant in women with only one of them. Vitamin D and statins seem to interact positively in their effects on bone metabolism.

Effect of β-cryptoxanthin plus phytosterols on cardiovascular risk and bone turnover markers in post-menopausal women: A randomized crossover trial

Background and aimPost-menopausal women are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and bone demineralization. Phytosterols (PS) may be used for hypercholesterolemia in some groups and β-cryptoxanthin (β-Cx) displays a unique anabolic effect on bone. Our aim was to assess the changes in cardiovascular and bone turnover markers from the oral intake of β-Cx and PS in post-menopausal women. Methods and resultsA randomized, double-blind, crossover study with β-Cx (0.75 mg/day) and PS (1.5 g/day), single and combined, was performed in 38 postmenopausal women. Diet was supplemented with 1 × 250 mL milk-based fruit drink/day for 4 weeks with a wash-out period of 4-weeks in between. Serum β-Cx and PS were determined by UPLC and CG-FID respectively. Outcome variables included markers of bone turnover and cardiovascular risk. Biological effect was assessed by paired t test and generalized estimating equations analysis that included the previous treatment, the order of intervention and the interactions. The intake of beverages containing β-Cx and PS brought about a significant increase in serum levels of β-Cx, β-sitosterol and campesterol. Intervention caused changes in almost all the markers while the order, previous treatment and the interaction did not reach statistical significance. Only the intake of the beverage containing β-Cx plus PS brought about significant decreases in total cholesterol, c-HDL, c-LDL and bone turnover markers. Conclusionsβ-Cx improves the cholesterol-lowering effect of PS when supplied simultaneously and this combination may also be beneficial in reducing risk of osteoporosis. Clinical Trial RegistryClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01074723.

The Effect Of Different Exercise Patterns On The Low-grade Systemic Pro-inflammatory Markers In Postmenopausal Women

The Effect Of Different Exercise Patterns On The Low-grade Systemic Pro-inflammatory Markers In Postmenopausal Women

Impact of BMI on serum estradiol and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer treated with anastrozole

Obesity increases the risk of all-cause and breast cancer mortality. As obese patients have higher levels of aromatase enzyme activity, conflicting results on the effect of body mass index (BMI) of a standard dose aromatase inhibitor on estradiol depletion have been reported. We prospectively investigated the effect of BMI on the efficacy of anastrozole in 70 postmenopausal women with early, ER-positive breast cancer to decrease serum estradiol assessed by a high-sensitive assay with a sensitivity limit of 5pg/ml over 24 months. Additionally, we examined the changes of bone markers expecting an inverse relationship. Overall, estradiol decreased from 12.6pg/ml (SD=5.4) to 4.0pg/ml (SD=5.6) over 24 months (p<0.001). In contrast, carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX) and serum aminoterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) increased from 0.26ng/ml (SD=0.18) to 0.40ng/ml (SD=0.24) and 41.5ng/ml (SD=19.7) to 59.1ng/ml (SD=29.1) (p<0.0001 for both). Baseline estradiol comprised significant differences comparing normal weight with overweight (p<0.01) or obese patients (p<0.001). After 12 and 24 months, overweight and obese patients showed a slightly, but insignificantly higher concentrations of estradiol compared to normal weight subjects. We found differences of CTX in comparison between normal weight and obese patients (0.33 vs. 0.21ng/ml; p<0.023) at baseline. At 12 and 24months, there was a significant BMI-independent increase in CTX. Estradiol concentrations in postmenopausal women with early, ER-positive breast cancer on anastrozole were significantly different in normal weight versus overweight or obese patients at baseline, but not at 12 and 24 months. CTX and PINP present a notable increase in the first 12months of anastrozole treatment, stabilizing thereafter.

Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, reduces level of a bone resorption marker in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis

Celecoxib (CEL), a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, has been reported to suppress osteoclastogenesis in vitro, reduce levels of bone resorption markers in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, and prevent bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model mice; however, no clinical data has been reported. Here, we prospectively evaluated the changes in bone turnover markers in RA patients who switched from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to CEL, to examine the effects of selective COX-2 inhibitor on bone metabolism. RA patients who had been treated with NSAIDs for more than 12weeks were switched to CEL (400mg/day) without any other changes in previously prescribed medications. Urinary type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (uNTX), serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were evaluated before switching to CEL and 16weeks later. Significant reductions in uNTX, a bone resorption marker, were observed in 60 female patients (P=0.042), especially in 52 postmenopausal women (P=0.033). However, uNTX level did not significantly change in premenopausal women or in men. There were no significant changes in BAP, a bone formation marker. CRP significantly decreased (P=0.007), while ESR and MMP-3 were unchanged. CEL reduced the levels of a bone resorption marker in postmenopausal RA patients, suggesting that this drug may attenuate the accelerated osteoclastic bone resorption associated with menopause.

Association of osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women and elderly men

Association of osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women and elderly men

Adiponectin and endothelial markers in postmenopausal women taking oral or transdermal hormone therapy

To assess the concentration of adiponectin, soluble E-selectin, soluble thrombomodulin and tissue activator plasminogen antigen in postmenopausal women who received oral or transdermal hormone therapy. Case-control study. Polish university hospitals. Seventy-six healthy postmenopausal women. Forty-six women who received oral (n = 26) or transdermal (n = 20) hormone therapy and a control group without such medication (n = 30), all aged 44-58 years. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, soluble E-selectin, soluble thrombomodulin and tissue activator plasminogen antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found a significantly higher concentration of adiponectin in women on oral and transdermal therapy in comparison to the control group and a significantly lower concentration of soluble E-selectin in women who received oral hormone therapy vs. the control group. A significantly higher concentration of tissue activator plasminogen antigen was obtained in the group of women using transdermal menopausal hormone therapy compared with those receiving oral therapy and with the control group. Reduced levels of soluble E-selectin in women using menopausal hormone therapy could lead to reduction in the intensity of expression of the adhesion factors on the surface of the vascular endothelium. Menopausal hormone therapy might have advantageous effects on vascular endothelial function through adiponectin. Transdermal therapy may have adverse effects associated with elevated tissue activator plasminogen antigen levels and thereby the higher risk of ischemic heart disease.

The relationship between implant stability and bone health markers in post-menopausal women with bisphosphonate exposure

The authors assessed the relationship between implant stability and bone turnover markers in patients with and without a history of bisphosphonate (BP) exposure for treatment of osteopenia/osteoporosis. One dental implant site was evaluated in 58 post-menopausal women with a spectrum of bone health in a "best practice" prospective cohort study. Each site had a previous or simultaneous bone augmentation procedure. BP exposure at enrollment was categorized as "never" or "past/current" exposure. Implant stability was assessed by resonance frequency analysis (RFA ISQ) at surgery and 8weeks post-implant. Bone turnover markers, C-telopeptide collagen crosslinks (sCTX) and procollagen -1 N-terminal telopeptide (P1NP), were measured pre-treatment, 1, and 8weeks following implant surgery. Mean age was 62.4 ± 6.8years; 66% were osteopenic/osteoporotic. Average RFA ISQ at placement for all participants was 63.5 ± 11.3, at 8weeks post-surgery 74.2 ± 9.4 (p < 0.01). Among "past/current" BP users, there was a significant negative correlation between RFA ISQ values at 8weeks post-implant placement and sCTX and P1NP values at 1week (ρ = -.65 and ρ = -.55, respectively; p < 0.01) and 8weeks (ρ = -.64 and ρ = -.52, respectively; p < 0.05). RFA ISQ values increased between implant placement and 8weeks post-surgery demonstrating successful osseointegration. Lower bone turnover was associated with better implant stability among patients with a history of BP exposure. Further investigation of the relationship between BP exposure and implant stability is warranted in a larger population, as results may strongly impact on clinical practice decisions.

Effect of risedronate on speed of sound in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

To examine the effects of treatment with risedronate for 1 year on speed of sound (SOS) of the calcaneus and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Thirty-eight postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who had been treated with risedronate for > 1 year were enrolled in the study. The SOS and bone turnover markers were monitored during treatment with risedronate for 1 year. The urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased at 3 mo (-34.7%) and 12 mo (-21.2%), respectively, compared with the baseline values. The SOS increased modestly, but significantly by 0.65% at 12 mo compared with the baseline value. Treatment with risedronate elicited an increase in the SOS of the calcaneus exceeding the coefficient of variation in vivo (0.27%). The present study confirmed that risedronate suppressed bone turnover and elicited a clinically significant increase in the SOS of the calcaneus in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

The effect of short-term low-energy ultraviolet B irradiation on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: A randomized single-blinded controlled clinical trial

The importance of vitamin D on bone health and osteoporosis was studied by many researchers. The main role of the Vitamin D is to absorb calcium and phosphate and increase bone mineralization. Older people are at an increased risk of the inadequate vitamin D production in the skin because of lower sun exposure and reduced ability of the skin to synthesize vitamin D. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of short-term (2 weeks) low energy UVB irradiation in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis using bone mineral density and bone turnover markers. A three-month, single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at the University hospital in Daegu, Republic of Korea. Fifty-two postmenopausal Korean women (older than 65 years) with osteoporosis were randomly allocated to have either low energy UVB or placebo for 30 minutes a day for two weeks of treatment during winter. Laboratory analysis and physical examination before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment were carried out and BMD was measured before and 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. The effects of time and treatment interaction between these two groups were evaluated by repeated-measure two-factor analysis, and subgroup analysis was performed to examine UVB effect on the vitamin D insufficient group [serum 25(OH)D3 concentration < 30 ng/mL]. In vitamin D insufficient group, the effect of UVB irradiation on vitamin D and bone ALP as well as additional benefit on bone formation was confirmed. The vitamin D insufficient group showed statistically significant increment in serum 25(OH)D3 compared with the normal group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in the other bone turnover markers, such as serum calcium, PTH-C, serum osteocalcin, serum CTX and BMD. Low-energy-short-term UVB radiation for postmenopausal women may be of use in vitamin D synthesis. There was a modest benefit in change of bone ALP especially in women with the insufficient vitamin D.

Low-Volume Exercise Training and Vitamin E Supplementation Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Postmenopausal Women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-volume exercise training (90 min/wk) and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women. The participants were non-randomly assigned the following four groups: control (C, n=8), vitamin E (S, n=8), exercise (Ex, n=6), or vitamin E and exercise (S+Ex, n=7). The S and S+Ex groups were instructed to take vitamin E (α-tocopherol, 300 mg/d) capsules for 12 wk. The exercise program of Ex and S+Ex groups consisted of walking for a 30-60 min/session 2 d per week for 12 wk. The serum derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites concentrations were significantly decreased in the Ex, and S+Ex groups after 12 wk compared with the baseline values (three-factor ANOVA, an interaction between exercise and time, p<0.05). Conversely, serum biological antioxidant potential concentrations in the S and Ex groups were significantly higher at 12 wk than at the baseline, but not in the S+Ex group (three-factor ANOVA, an interaction between supplementation, exercise and time, p<0.05). Plasma thioredoxin concentrations in the S, Ex, and S+Ex groups were significantly higher at 12 wk than at the baseline values (three-factor ANOVA, interactions between exercise and time, and between supplementation, exercise and time, p<0.05). Our findings suggest that low-volume physical activity may improve resting oxidative stress status in postmenopausal women.