LUMBAR VERTEBRAL AND FEMORAL-NECK BONE-MINERAL DENSITY ARE HIGHER IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH THE ALPHA(2)HS-GLYCOPROTEIN-2 PHENOTYPE
BONE AND MINERAL
Authors: DICKSON, IR; GWILLIAM, R; ARORA, M; MURPHY, S; KHAW, KT; PHILLIPS, C; LINCOLN, P
Abstract
alpha(2)HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) is a plasma protein which becomes concentrated in the organic matrix of bone. The two most common alleles, AHSG*1 and AHSG*2, give rise to three common phenotypes. A recent report showed that a group of postmenopausal white North American women with different AHSG phenotypes differed significantly with respect to their oestrogen status. We have studied variations in bone mineral density, measured by DEXA, and levels of sex hormones and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in a group of 88 post-menopausal women unselected as to their health status. Lumbar vertebral and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), and the free oestradiol index were all significantly higher (P<0.05) in women with the AHSG 2 phenotype. Values of these three parameters were lowest in the AHSG 1 phenotype and intermediate in the AHSG 2-1 phenotype. Because the differences in BMD between the AHSG 2 and 1 phenotypes represent at least a 40% difference in fracture risk, the AHSG phenotype may be of some clinical relevance as a risk factor for osteoporosis.
Association of Insulin Resistance, beta-Cell Function Impairment and Calcium, Magnesium, and Fetuin-A Concentrations in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
ACTA FACULTATIS MEDICAE NAISSENSIS
Authors: Moustafa, Shatha Rouf
Abstract
Insulin resistance and beta-cell function impairment play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Insulin signaling is inhibited by fetuin-A, an abundant plasma protein. Fetuin-A is also a candidate marker of the T2DM risk. This case-control study aimed to determine whether fetuin-A serum level is related to insulin resistance, beta-cell function impairment, and total and ionized Ca and Mg serum levels in Erbil patients with T2DM. A total of 60 patients with T2DM were recruited, and 30 healthy persons were included in the control group. Fetuin-A and insulin concentrations were measured through ELISA. Other biochemical parameters were determined spectrophotometrically. Insulin resistance (HOMA2IR), insulin sensitivity (HOMA2%S), and beta-cell function were examined by using a homeostatic model assessment 2 (HOMA2). Fasting serum insulin, fetuin-A serum levels, and HOMA2IR were significantly increased. HOMA2%S of the patients with diabetes was significantly lower than that of the control group. The total serum and ionized Ca and Mg contents and the Ca/Mg ratio were reduced in the patients. Therefore, fetuin-A is related to T2DM pathogenesis and is strongly associated with insulin resistance and glycemic control in T2DM patients. Future large-scale studies are necessary to validate fetuin-A as an indicator of IR in T2DM patients.