This study was a trial to evaluate the potential value of serum
osteocalcin (BGP) as a marker of bone turnover in elderly osteoporotic
male patients. Sixty five cases (all were males); 25 elderly
non-osteoporotic males (group II) and 25 males with senile
osteoporosis (group Ill) comprised the material of this study. Fifteen
middle aged normal control cases were selected (group 1). For each
case of this study; full history, complete clinical examination,
laboratory investigations (including blood picture, stool and urine analysis, blood sugar estitnasier; renal and liver profile), for exclusion
of any underlying disease; radiological study (X-ray spine) and
estimation of serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and
serum osteocalcin, all were done. Serum osteocalcin was measured by
the radioinununoassay technique. Seruru calcium and phosphorus were
normal in all subjects of this study. The study revealed that both
serum alkaline phosphatase levels ad also, serum osteocalcin levels
increased wit age, and the increase fin these two parameters was
higher in the osteoporotic patients. Also, there was a significant
correlation between serum alkaline phosphatase in the elderly group.
We found that serum osteocalcin in the first group was 3.82+0.8
ng/ml; and in the second group was 7.13+1.7 ng/ml, while it was
13.40+3.9 ng/ml in the osteoporotic group. We may conclude that
serial measurement of serum osteocalcin in elderly individuals may be
helpful in study of their bone dynamics and early diagnosis of senile
osteoporosis. |
