Source

J Periodontol. 2002 Apr;73(4):383-91.

Source link

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Title

Effect of estrogen deficiency on skeletal and alveolar bone density in sheep.

Author

Johnson RB, Gilbert JA, Cooper RC, Parsell DE, Stewart BA, Dai X, Nick TG, Streckfus CF, Butler RA, Boring JG.

Bio	Department of Periodontics, University of Mississippi, Jackson, USA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study provides a longitudinal assessment of changes in alveolar and skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) in ovariectomized animals. METHODS: Following ovariectomy (OVX) (n = 6) or sham-operation (n = 6) intraoral radiographs were made at 4-month intervals and serum 17-beta-estradiol, osteocalcin, and interleukin (IL)-6, urinary deoxypyridinium, and salivary IL-6, deoxypyridinium, and osteocalcin concentrations were evaluated. Twelve months after surgery, animals were sacrificed and the mandible and radius/ulna removed. Bones were sectioned and radiographed. Mean BMD and cortical thicknesses were calculated from each region. RESULTS: OVX animals had a progressive decrease in serum 17-beta-estradiol, increased serum osteocalcin and IL-6, urinary deoxypyridinium and salivary IL-6, osteocalcin and deoxypyridinium (P < 0.001), suggesting that they were becoming osteoporotic. The BMD of the radius/ulna and mandibular alveolar bone was significantly reduced in OVX animals (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Reduced alveolar bone BMD became evident in OVX animals 6 months after surgery and became more severe during the subsequent 6 months. Alveolar crestal height was also significantly reduced in OVX animals (P < 0.001). These biochemical and density changes preceded a significant reduction in serum 17-beta-estradiol, which occurred between 4 and 8 months following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Serial measurements of alveolar BMD predicts loss of skeletal BMD in OVX sheep. Changes in alveolar BMD precede estrogen deficiency, suggesting that early signs of reduced BMD may be detected in peri-menopausal women. The presence of biomarkers of bone metabolism within saliva and their correlation with reduced BMD suggests that saliva could be used as an adjunct screening method for assessment of skeletal bone density. PMID: 11990439 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

This article belongs in the hall of fame. This is BIG! Why? Because it confirms with precision what I have long suspected from clinical observation. I have a proactive outlook on health and disease and have always tried to ambush pathology before it gets me, or my patients. So at the first signs (menstrual change in character, duration, frequency) of menopause I would advocate a bone density study to use as a beginning reference for a given patient by which to judge the adequacy of hormone replacement therapy. I was always perplexed as more often than not, the bones had already demineralized somewhat although the hormone levels were okay and the duration of menopausal symptoms SEEMED very short. This sort of answers it: CHANGES IN BONE DENSITY PRECEDE MEASURABLE ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY IN WOMEN AND ANDROGEN DEFICIENCY IN MEN. That's right! The bones have already established a decline in mineral content by the time changes in menses occur in the ladies and erectile dysfunction visits the gentlemen. (Now aren't you glad to know that we have started to age sooner than we previously thought?) The good news is that this is a big clue as to WHAT to look for and WHEN. Regarding our spayed/neutered dogs, EstraPet is a BIG help.

Category

TEETH / PERIODONTAL

Date	3/9/2008 5:53:18 PM