BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES (IL-1β AND TNFα) IN MENOPAUSE

Background. Osteoporosis has a high incidence after menopause, and at the same time the relationship between menopausal oestrogen deprivation and proinflammatory status is considered to be involved in postmenopausal bone turnover. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of IL-1 beta and of the TNF alpha in pre and postmenopausal women, as well as to investigate the relationship between these cytokines and bone mineral density. Design. A case-control study was performed during a period of 12 months. Subjects and Methods. The study included 150 women divided into 4 study groups. Serum levels of IL-1 beta and TNF alpha were determined using multiplex cytokine kits. BMD was measured by DXA at the level of the hip and lumbar spine. Results. Serum concentration of IL-beta is significantly higher in natural and surgically induced menopausal women, compared to women in the control group. Serum levels of TNF alpha in postmenopausal women and with surgically induced menopause are significantly higher than in fertile and premenopausal women. Serum levels of IL-1 beta are significantly higher in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis compared to patients with normal BMD values. We found a negative correlation between serum levels of IL-1 beta, TNF alpha and BMD in pre and postmenopausal women, and in women with surgically induced menopause. Conclusions. Serum levels of IL-1 beta and TNF alpha are significantly higher in menopausal women compared to fertile women. IL-1 beta is significantly higher in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis than in women with normal BMD values, and IL-1 beta and TNF alpha associate negatively with BMD in pre and postmenopausal women, as well as in women with surgically induced menopause.