Serum bone gla protein (BGP) and other markers of bone mineral metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Bone gla protein, the vitamin K-dependent protein synthesized by osteoblasts and measured in blood by radioimmunoassay, has been used as an index of the rate of bone turnover. The relationship of bone gla protein with other markers of bone mineral metabolism was determined in 31 untreated postmenopausal women with the osteoporotic syndrome. In addition to serum osteocalcin (BGP) we measured parathyroid hormone (PTH) (carboxyl and mid-molecule fragments), 25(OH)D, alkaline phosphatase, estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), dietary calcium intake, 24 hour urinary calcium excretion, and bone mineral density by CT scan of the lumbar vertebrae. Significant osteopenia was present on CT in untreated postmenopausal osteoporotic women (bone density in 18 out of 31 was below the critical value of 60 mg/cm3). Serum BGP correlated positively with CT scan (r + 0.647, P less than 0.001). CT and age were negatively correlated (r - 0.661, P less than 0.001) while CT and E2 showed a positive correlation (r + 0.554, P less than 0.01). Unexpectedly, BGP and age revealed a significant negative correlation (r - 0.421, P less than 0.05). These findings suggest a state of low bone turnover in this group with untreated postmenopausal osteoporosis.