RELATIONSHIP OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND VASCULAR WALL CONDITION WITH BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective: to investigate the correlation of bone mass, the parameters of vascular stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis with biochemical markers of inflammation in postmenopausal women.
Subjects and methods. The cross-sectional investigation included 98 patients aged 45–82 years who were followed up in the outpatient setting and signed an informed consent. The investigation did not include patients with any clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, malignant neoplasms, with diseases causing secondary osteoporosis, as well as with the presence of symptoms of acute bacterial or viral infections and an exacerbation of chronic diseases, who took drugs affecting bone metabolism and vascular stiffness. C-reactive protein (CRP) level was determined by a high-sensitive immunoturbidimetric assay using carboxylated polystyrene particles. interleukin (IL)-6 concentration was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. The intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence and number of atherosclerotic plaques (ASP) were studied with duplex scanning. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) were measured by applanation tonometry using a SphygmoCor device (AtCor Medical Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia). Lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Results and discussion. There was an increase in the parameters of vascular stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis, and CRP level and a decrease in bone mass with a longer length of menopause. The vascular stiffness parameters, including IMT (r=0.26; p<0.05), AI (r=0.25; p<0.05), the presence of ASP (r=0.24; p<0.05), and PWV (r=0.23; p<0.05), directly correlated with CRP level. A negative correlation was found between LI–IV BMD and CRP (r=-0.31; p<0.05). The probability of detecting increased IMT with a high CRP level was increased by 2.64 times, ASP by 3.18 times, and low BMD by 2.4 times. There was no association of bone mass, and the parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness with IL-6.
Conclusion. Lower bone mass and the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women were associated with increased vascular stiffness and the presence of signs of subclinical atherosclerosis, and with a high level of CRP, which allows one to discuss the common mechanisms for development of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, as well as the involvement of chronic inflammation in them.

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