Relationship between Lipid Profile and Bone Turnover in Pre and Postmenopausal Women

Background: To determine the relationship between lipid profile and bone turnover in pre and postmenopausal women. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 279 women referred to Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) center of endocrinology and Metabolism research center for premenopausal evaluation were assessed for serum osteoporotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) ligand (RANKL) and lipid profile in biochemistry and hormone laboratory. Results: Serum Total cholesterol had significant inverse correlation with spine L2-L4 BMD (r=-0.152, P= 0.02) and L2-L4 t-score (r=-0.151, P= 0.02). Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol also related negatively to spine L2-L4 BMD (r=-0.184, P= 0.007), L2-L4 T score (r=-0.184, P= 0.007) and L2-L4 Z score (r=-0.134, P= 0.04).However no relation was found between triglyceride and high density lipoprotein and lumbar spine BMD values. Whereas 35.5 % of women with LDL >130 had serum RANKL upper than percentile 75, this value was 18.7% among women with LDL< 130(P=0.01, Odds Ratio= 2.39, CI: 1.24-4.6). Osteoprotegerin had no such a relation with LDL. In univariate analysis LDL had a significant relationship with RANKL independent of age (P= 0.02). Conclusion: As RANKL is a bone marker that show bone loss, our finding may contribute to demonstrate a negative effect of LDL on bone metabolism.