Relationship between bone mineral density and serum adiponectin in elderly men

Objective To investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and the changes of serum adiponectin (APN) level in elderly men. Methods A total of 240 elderly men was enrolled in this study. Measurement of BMD of lumbar spine with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed. All subjects were divided into three groups (normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis) according to the T value of BMD. Serum APN level was tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), meanwhile were recorded as bone turnover markers. Results ⑴ The level of serum APN in osteopenia group was lower than in normal group, the level of serum APN in osteoporosis group was significantly lower than in osteopenia group, while the level of serum APN in osteoporosis group was significantly lower than in normal group (all P<0.05). ⑵ Serum APN was positively correlated with T value of BMD (r=0.475, P<0.01). ⑶ The stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed serum APN, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, β-isomerized carboxyterminal propeptide (β-CTX), and osteocalcin could enter into the equation. Conclusions Serum APN might play an important role in pathogenesis of osteoporosis in elderly men. Key words: Bone density; Adiponectin/ME