Markers of bone metabolism in eugonadal female patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) have been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of various types of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate bone turnover in eugonadal female patients with this disease and characterize the possible role of the OPG/RANKL system in thalassemia-related bone loss. Markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured in 16 eugonadal young females with beta-thalassemia major and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Bone turnover was significantly increased in thalassemic patients compared to controls but OPG was significantly higher in healthy subjects. BMD values negatively correlated with urine markers of bone resorption but not with OPG/sRANKL system.