Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Short-term calcium supplementation has no effect on biochemical markers of bone remodeling in early postmenopausal women

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

This study was designed to assess changes in biochemical markers of bone remodeling in early postmenopausal women receiving calcium supplementation.

Materials and methods

In a randomized cross-over study of eighteen weeks duration, the effect of a 6-week calcium supplementation (1000 mg calcium carbonate) on biochemical markers of bone resorption (collagen type I cross-linked C- and N-telopeptides) and bone formation (osteocalcin, total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase), and total serum calcium was assessed in 27 early postmenopausal women.

Results

While total serum calcium levels increased significantly due to calcium supplementation (p<0.05), biochemical markers of both bone resorption and formation remained virtually unchanged.

Conclusion

In contrast to other investigations, there was no significant short-term effect of calcium supplementation on biochemical markers of either bone resorption or formation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Akesson K, Lau KH, Johnston P, Imperio E, Baylink DJ (1998) Effects of short-term calcium depletion and repletion on biochemical markers of bone turnover in young adult women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:1921–1927

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Aloia JF, Vaswani A, Yeh JK, Russo L (1996) Differential effects of dietary calcium augmentation and hormone replacement therapy on bone turnover and serum levels of calcitrophic hormones. Osteoporos Int 6:55–62

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Baker V, Ulrich U (1999) Estrogen replacement and alternatives for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Curr Probl Obstet Gynecol Fertil 22:73–120

    Google Scholar 

  4. Blumsohn A, Herrington K, Hannon RA, Shao P, Eyre DR, Eastell R (1994) The effect of calcium supplementation on the circadian rhythm of bone resorption. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol 79:730–735

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Chesnut CH III, Bell NH, Clark GS, Drinkwater BL, English SC, Notelovitz M, Rosen C, Cain DF, Flessland KA, Mallinak NJ (1997) Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women: N-telopeptide of type I collagen monitors therapeutic effect and predicts response of bone mineral density. Am J Med 102:29–37

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Christiansen C (1994) The different routes of administration and the effect of hormone replacement therapy on osteoporosis. Fertil Steril 62 [Suppl 6]:152–156

  7. Compston JE (1995) The role of vitamin D and calcium supplementation in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 43:393–405

    Google Scholar 

  8. Elders PJM, Netelenbos JC, Lips P, van Ginkel F, Khoe E, Leeuwenkamp OR, Hackeng WHL, van der Stelt PF (1991) Calcium supplementation reduces vertebral bone loss in perimenopausal women: a controlled trial in 248 women between 46 and 55 years of age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 73:533–540

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ettinger B (1992) Role of calcium in preserving the skeletal health of aging women. South Med J 85 [Suppl 2]:22–30

  10. Ettinger B, Genant HK, Cann CE (1987) Postmenopausal bone loss is prevented by treatment with low-dosage estrogen with calcium. Ann Int Med 106:40–45

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Eyre DR (1997) Bone biomarkers as tools in osteoporosis management. Spine 22:17S–24S

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gonnelli S, Cepollaro C, Camporeale A, Nardi P, Rossi S, Gennari C (1995) Acute biochemical variations induced by two different calcium salts in healthy perimenopausal women. Calcif Tissue Int 57:175–177

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kanis JA, Melton LJ III, Christiansen C, Johnston CC, Khaltaev N (1994) The diagnosis of osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res 9:1137–1141

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kulak CAM, Belezikian JP (1998) Osteoporosis: preventive strategies. Int J Fertil 43:56–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lloyd T, Andon MB, Rollings N, Martel JK, Landis JR, Demers LM, Eggli DF, Kieselhorst K, Kulin H (1993) Calcium supplementation and bone mineral density in adolescent girls. JAMA 270:841–844

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. McKane WR, Khosla S, Egan KS, Robins SP, Burritt MF, Riggs BL (1996) Role of calcium intake in modulating age-related increases in parathyroid function and bone resorption. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 81:1699–1703

    Google Scholar 

  17. Nicar MJ, Pak CYC (1985) Calcium bioavailability from calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 61:391–393

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nilas L, Christiansen C, Rodbro P (1984) Calcium supplementation and postmenopausal bone loss. Br Med J 289:1103–1106

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Notelovitz M (1993) Osteoporosis: screening, prevention, and management. Fertil Steril 59:707–725

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Prestwood KM, Thompson DL, Kenny AM, Seibel MJ, Pilbeam CC, Raisz LG (1999) Low dosage estrogen and calcium have an additive effect on bone resorption in older women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 84:179–183

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Reid IR, Ames RW, Evans MC, Gamble GD, Sharpe SJ (1995) Long-term effects of calcium supplementation on bone loss and fractures in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Med 98:331–335

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Riis B, Thomsen K, Christiansen C (1987) Does calcium supplementation prevent postmenopausal bone loss? N Engl J Med 316:173–177

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rosen CJ, Chesnut CH III, Mallinak NJ (1997) The predictive value of biochemical markers of bone turnover for bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women treated with hormone replacement or calcium supplementation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82:1904–1910

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Senn S (1993) Cross-over trials in clinical research. Wiley, New York

  25. Steiniche T, Hasling C, Charles P, Eriksen EF, Mosekilde L, Melsen F (1989) A randomized study on the effects of estrogen/gestagen or high calcium on trabecular bone remodeling in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bone 10:313–320

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Takahashi M, Kushida K, Hoshino H, Ohishi T, Inoue T (1999) Biochemical markers of bone turnover do not decline after menopause in healthy women. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 106:427–431

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Tukey JW (1977) Data analysis. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA

  28. Writing Group for the Women’s Health Initiative Investigators (2002) Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women. Principal results from the women’s health initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA 288:321–333

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Gretchen Davis (Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology), Lynne Atley, Ph.D. (Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine), Michael Davis (Osteoporosis Research Group, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA), and Iris Paffenholz (Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany) for their excellent assistance. We are also much indebted to Guido Lüchters (University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany) for his professional help with the statistical analysis. Dr. Ulrich was supported by a German Research Foundation grant (Ul 142/1-1).

Author information

Author notes

  1. U. Ulrich

    Present address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cologne School of Medicine, Kerpener Strasse 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA

    U. Ulrich, P. B. Miller & M. R. Soules

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA

    D. R. Eyre

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA

    C. H. Chesnut III

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bonn School of Medicine, Bonn, Germany

    U. Ulrich, C. Bodenschatz & H. Schlebusch

Authors
  1. U. Ulrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. B. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. R. Eyre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. H. Chesnut III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. Bodenschatz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. H. Schlebusch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. R. Soules
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to U. Ulrich.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ulrich, U., Miller, P.B., Eyre, D.R. et al. Short-term calcium supplementation has no effect on biochemical markers of bone remodeling in early postmenopausal women. Arch Gynecol Obstet 270, 230–234 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-003-0562-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-003-0562-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation