estrone-sulfate and Osteoporosis

To investigate whether bone loss occurs in the premenopause, we measured the bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone area in the spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, and total hip, as well as the sex hormone levels of 130 healthy premenopausal white women (age, 31-50 yr) at least three times over 1-9 yr. We found an increase in all three bone measurements at the spine but no change in volumetric density. Neither could we detect any age-related changes in any of the three measurements in the total hip. In contrast, we detected a significant decrease in femoral neck BMD over time, due to a decrease in BMC and increase in bone area. Greater loss in femoral neck BMD was associated independently with weight loss and lower levels of estrone sulfate or E2. Separating the women into those with FSH spikes (>20 IU/liter) and women with consistently low FSH, we found the latter group had smaller decrease in BMD and that the decrease was due less to a decline in BMC and more to an increase in bone area. In summary, femoral neck BMD decreases in premenopausal women, particularly those with lower levels of estrogens resulting from slowing ovarian function despite regular menses. This decrease can be offset by more rapid weight gain.

Topics: Adult; Body Weight; Bone Density; Cohort Studies; Estradiol; Estrone; Female; Femur Neck; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Premenopause

Thirty-eight women were treated with estrone sulphate over a period of 30 months for climacteric problems. A random control group of 29 women were given methyl scopolamine. Bone mineral assays were performed by means of dual photon absorptiometry before the start of treatment and after 6, 12, 18, and 30 months. There was a difference in the mineral loss of trabecular bone between the two groups after 30 months of treatment, that the control group being significantly higher (p less than 0.001). In the estrogen-treated group there was a decrease in serum phosphorus (p less than 0.01), alkaline phosphatase activity (p less than 0.001), and albumin (p less than 0.001). In the control group, serum albumin showed the same decrease, while the other factors either showed no differences or even increased. The urinary excretion of calcium was not significantly reduced in the estrogen group, whereas there was an increase in the control group (p less than 0.01). There was an increase in hematocrit in both groups. Positive correlation was found between parity and loss of trabecular bone mineral (p less than 0.01).U

Topics: Adult; Alkaline Phosphatase; Bone and Bones; Climacteric; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Estrone; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Minerals; N-Methylscopolamine; Osteoporosis; Parity; Random Allocation; Scopolamine Derivatives; Serum Albumin