Published in:
British Journal of Nutrition, 106 (2011) 3, Seite 378-382
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1017/s0007114511000304
ISSN:
0007-1145;
1475-2662
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
Accumulation of homocysteine andS-adenosylhomocysteine in bone has been shown to be associated with reduced bone quality in rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether high bone concentrations of homocysteine andS-adenosylhomocysteine as well as a low methylation capacity are related to an impaired bone morphology in humans. Concentrations of homocysteine and its precursorsS-adenosylhomocysteine andS-adenosylmethionine were measured in femoral bone samples of eighty-two males and females (age 71 (sd8) years) who underwent elective hip arthroplasty. Cancellous bone structure was analysed by histomorphometry. In addition, blood was sampled to measure serum concentrations of homocysteine. Results of bone and serum analyses were grouped for individuals with high or low bone concentrations of homocysteine,S-adenosylhomocysteine andS-adenosylmethionine, as well as for individuals with a high or a low methylation capacity, which is indicated by a low or a highS-adenosylhomocysteine:S-adenosylmethionine ratio (n41, each). Histomorphometry showed a higher trabecular separation and a lower trabecular thickness, trabecular number and trabecular area in individuals with high bone concentrations of homocysteine andS-adenosylhomocysteine compared with individuals with low bone concentrations of homocysteine andS-adenosylhomocysteine. There was no association between theS-adenosylhomocysteine:S-adenosylmethionine ratio and bone morphology. It was found that 48 % of bone homocysteine was bound to the collagen of the extracellular bone matrix. Blood analyses demonstrated a significant correlation between serum and bone homocysteine. The results of the present study indicate an association between altered bone morphology and elevated bone concentrations of homocysteine andS-adenosylhomocysteine, but not between altered bone morphology and methylation capacity.