Beta 2-microglobulin does not behave as a biological marker of bone remodeling in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Parathormone has been shown to increase the secretion and production of lysosomal enzymes including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. All our 68 patients with proven primary hyperparathyroidism had signs of hyperparathyroid bone disease. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and bone alkaline phosphatase activities are raised as a result of enhanced bone remodelling. Serum beta 2-microglobulin concentration in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was normal 1.6 (1.4-1.8) mg/l versus 1.8 (1.7-2.2) mg/l in 51 control subjects. In hyperparathyroid patients, serum beta 2-microglobulin concentration does not correlate with plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity which is known to be a sensitive biological marker of bone remodelling (r = 0.088). Our findings indicate that serum beta 2-microglobulin does not behave as a biological marker of remodelling in patients with enhanced remodelling in primary hyperparathyroidism.