[Biochemical markers of bone turnover. New aspect. Effects of androgen and estrogen on biochemical markers of bone turnover].

Both androgen and estrogen play important roles in bone metabolism. As estrogen has a potent inhibitory effect on bone resorption, bone turnover increases in postmenopausal osteoprosis caused by estrogen deficiency. Treatment with selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) as well as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improve bone turnover increased in postmenopausal women to normal range before menopause. Although the decrease of androgen level with aging is involved in pathogenesis of male osteoporosis, the detailed mechanism remains to be clarified.