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Calcium, Phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus ratio in rib bone of healthy humans

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Abstract

Calcium and phosphorus concentrations as well as the Ca/P ratio were estimated in intact rib bone samples from healthy humans, 37 women and 45 men, aged 15–55 yr. For Ca and P concentration measurements, instrumental neutron activation analysis was used. The mean values (mean±SD) for the investigated parameters were 19.3±4.5% of dry bone weight, 8.42±2.14% of dry bone weight, and a ratio of 2.33±0.34, respectively. Statistically significant differences for the above parameters were not observed to be related either to age or sex. The mean values for Ca, P, and the Ca/P ratio were within a very wide range of published data and close to their medians. The individual variation for the Ca/P ratio in rib bone from healthy humans was lower than those for Ca and P taken separately. An indication is that the specificity of the Ca/P ratio improves upon that for Ca and P concentrations and may be more reliable in the diagnosis of bone disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Medical Physics, Medical School, Ioannina University, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Margaret Tzaphlidou

  2. Radiological Research Centre, Obninsk, 249020, Kaluga Region, Russia

    Vladimir Zaichick

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  1. Margaret Tzaphlidou
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Tzaphlidou, M., Zaichick, V. Calcium, Phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus ratio in rib bone of healthy humans. Biol Trace Elem Res 93, 63–74 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:93:1-3:63

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:93:1-3:63

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