Relationship of cvtokines and bone metabolic markers to osteoporosis in aged males

Objective To observe the relationship of cytokines and bone metabolic markers to osteoporosis in aged men. Methods Serum interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-l0, bone glaprotein (BGP), testosterone (T), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), Ca and bone density of aged men with osteoporosis or bone mass loss were assessed and compared with those of middle-aged and aged healthy men. Results The levels of serum IL-4 and IL-6 increased with severity of osteoporosis and the differences were significant compared with normal controls ( P 0.05, P 0.01) . The levels of IL-10, BGP, AKP and T decreased at different degrees and also had significant differences compared with normal controls ( P 0.05) . Bone density of aged men with osteoporosis and bone mass loss was lower than that of middle-aged healthy men ( P 0.01), and bone density of aged men with osteoporosis was apparently lower than that of men with bone mass loss (P 0.05). Conclusions From bone mass loss to osteoporosis, the deteriorating process presents as bone absorption increasing and osteogenesis decreasing. IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 and other bone metabolic markers may play a role in diagnosis of osteoporosis.