Summary
The so-called bone-derived growth factor, or β2-microglobulin, has a regulatory function in bone metabolism, stimulating osteoclastic activity. Osteoclastic activity is enhanced in postmenopausal osteoporosis, suggesting that β2-microglobulin concentration may also be increased in this disease. β2-microglobulin concentration was found to be raised (P < 0.001) in 30 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis as compared with 30 normal women of similar age; tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentration also was raised (P < 0.001), and total body bone mineral content was decreased (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed a highly negative correlation result between total body bone mineral content and β2-microglobulin (r = 0.577,P < 0.001), and a positive correlation result between β2-microglobulin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentration (r2 = 0.806,P < 0.001). These findings, and the stimulatory effect of β2-microglobulin on osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, suggest that β2-microglobulin may play an important role as a local regulatory factor in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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Rico, H., Ripoll, E., Revilla, M. et al. β2-Microglobulin in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Calcif Tissue Int 53, 78–80 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01321882
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01321882