The evaluation of the relationship between bone mineral density and ghrelin hormone levels in patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia

Aim: To analyze the relationship between BMD and ghrelin hormone levels in women with osteopenia and osteoporosis, and to evaluate possible contribution of ghrelin in the etiology of osteopenia and osteoporosis.Material and Method: Forty female patients (mean age 50.65±9.93 years) who were admited to outpatient clinics of Endocrinology department ( İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Özal Medical Center) and 20 healty volunteers were included in the study. Study group consisted of 20 patients with osteopenia (mean age 50.85±11.21 years) and 20 patients with osteoporosis (mean age 50.45±8.75 years). Control group consisted of 20 age-mached (mean age 48.40 ± 9.81 years) healty volunteers. The study group were classified to subgroup of primary osteoporosis and osteopenia. BMD was measured by DXA methods in all subject. N-oktanoil Acyl Ghrelin levels were measured by ELISA method. Clinical and demographical characteristics of subjects were noted.Results: Mean N-oktanoil Acyl Ghrelin levels were measured in study and control(28.11±31.09; 38.63±39.07 pg/ml) respectively. N-oktanoil Acyl Ghrelin levels were also measured in osteopenia and osteoporosis subgroups (30.56±26.71; 25.66±35.47 pg/ml ) respectively. The average level of hormone ghrelin was lover in primary osteoporosis than osteopenia and control group. Ghrelin levels in patients wit osteoporosis were significant lower than control group. Levels of hormone ghrelin were affected the bone mineral density in patients with primary osteoporosis and osteopenia. Considering all cases, in correlation analyze lumbar spine total BMD, lumbar spine total T score, lumbar spine total Z score were significantly and positively related with ghrelin levels.Conclucion: Our study showed that ghrelin level is decreased in osteoporosis patients and decreased ghrelin levels may related to devolopment of osteoporosis and osteopenia.Key Words: Primary Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Bone Mineral Density, Ghrelin