Relationship between age-related reference values of serum osteoprotegerin and leptin in native Chinese women and compared with those in women of other races

Abstract: Background: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and leptin are important cellular factors in the regulation of bone remodeling. We investigated the serum OPG and leptin in Chinese women. Methods: The serum OPG and leptin in 690 Chinese women aged 20–81y were measured by an ELISA. The values of OPG and leptin in women of other races were acquired from previous reports on the same. Results: The geometric mean values (± SD) of the serum OPG and leptin in Chinese women were 3.42±1.91pmol/l and 10.5±1.99μg/l, respectively. Further, the serum OPG (4.39±1.85 vs 2.74±1.81) and leptin (11.4±2.21 vs 9.68±1.81) in postmenopausal women were significantly higher than in premenopausal women. The serum OPG in middle-aged Chinese women was significantly higher than that in middle-aged Austrian and Icelandic women; however, this is quite contrary to the results obtained in the case of old-aged women. The values of serum leptin in Chinese women were significantly lower than those in white, black, and Mexican American women. Conclusions: These results provide reliable reference values for OPG and leptin in Chinese adult women. The serum of OPG and leptin differ with ethnicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]