Utility of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b, bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in osteoporotic fractures in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND

The goal was to find out the clinical significances of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP 5b), a biomarker of bone resorption, and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin, two markers of bone formation, in evaluating the osteoporotic fracture risk in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Thirty six Chinese osteoporotic fracture patients and 32 Chinese healthy subjects were included in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and total body were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in all subjects. Fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects and the serum concentrations of TRACP 5b, BAP, and osteocalcin were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunoradiometric assay.

RESULTS

With lower BMD, the osteoporotic fracture patients had elevated levels of TRACP 5b and BAP, compared with the healthy controls. No difference in serum osteocalcin level was observed between the fracture patients and the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum TRACP 5b and BAP, combined with or without increased osteocalcin, are valuable tools for the assessment of osteoporotic fracture risk in Chinese patients.