Changes of bone metabolic markers in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis before and after six-month tibolone treatment.

Objective To observe the changes of bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) after 6-month tibolone treatment. Methods All of 60 postmenopausal women were divided to osteoporosis group (n = 30) and non-osteoporosis group (n = 30), according to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement results. Control group contained 30 childbearing-age women with normal bone mineral density (BMD). Serum BALP and TRAP were detected. Women in PMOP group received tibolone (2. 5 mg/d) treatment for 6 months. BMD were measured at 0, 3, and 6 months, and BALP and TRAP were detected at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. Results Serum BALP and TRAP in PMOP group and non-PMOP group had significantly higher levels compared to those in control group (P <0. 01). BALP and TRAP in PMOP group increased further more than those in non4>MOP group (P < 0. 01). BMD in PMOP group increased after 3-month tibolone treatment but without significant difference (P > 0. 05). Significant improvement was observed at 6 month (P < 0. 05). BALP and TRAP in PMOP group significantly decreased at 1 month compared to baseline (P < 0. 05), and further decline appeared at 3 and 6 months (P < 0. 01). Conclusion Bone metabolic biochemical markers, such as BALP and TRAP, can provide an early evaluation of bone turnover. It can timely monitor the drug efficacy of tibolone when combines with BMD measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]