From: ironjustice on
Osteoporos Int. 2008 Jul 26.
Association between iron overload and osteoporosis in patients with
hereditary hemochromatosis.
Valenti L, Varenna M, Fracanzani AL, Rossi V, Fargion S, Sinigaglia
L.
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, UO Medicina Interna IB, Padiglione
Granelli, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Policlinico
Mangialli e Regina Elena Fondazione IRCCS, Via F Sforza 35, 20122,
Milan, Italy.

In 87 patients with hereditary hemochromatosis, osteoporosis was
detected in 25%, and osteopenia in 41%. Bone mineral density was
independently associated with BMI, ALP levels, hypogonadism/
menopause,
and the amount of iron removed to reach depletion, but not with
cirrhosis. Osteoporosis is influenced by iron overload in
hemochromatosis.
INTRODUCTION:
To analyze prevalence, clinical characteristics and genetic
background
associated with osteoporosis in a retrospective study in Italian
patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC).
METHODS:
In 87 consecutive patients with HHC, bone mineral density was
systematically evaluated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of the
lumbar spine (n = 87) and femoral neck (n = 66).
RESULTS:
Osteoporosis was detected in 22 (25.3%), and osteopenia in 36 (41.4%)
patients. Mean Z scores were -0.92 +/- 1.42 at lumbar spine and -0.35
+/- 1.41 at femoral neck. Lumbar spine T-score was independently
associated with total ALP (p = 0.002), hypogonadism/menopause (p =
0.026), and iron overload (p = 0.033 for ferritin and p = 0.017 for
iron removed). We observed a borderline significance for BMI (p =
0.069) and smoking status (p = 0.086). Lumbar spine osteoporosis was
independently associated with lower BMI (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54-0.94),
total ALP (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1-1.39 per 10 unit increase) and the
amount
of iron removed (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1-2.5 per 5 g increase). HFE
genotypes did not differ between patients with and without
osteoporosis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Osteoporosis is observed in a quarter of unselected patients with
HHC,
independently of the genetic background, and is associated with ALP,
hypogonadism, body weight, and severity of iron overload.


PMID: 18661088


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"iron overload contributed to the osteoporosis"


Ascorbic acid deficiency, iron overload and alcohol abuse underlie
the
severe osteoporosis in black African patients with hip fractures--a
bone histomorphometric study.
Schnitzler CM, Schnaid E, MacPhail AP, Mesquita JM, Robson HJ
Calcif Tissue Int. 2005 Feb ; 76(2): 79-89


Osteoporosis and femoral neck fractures (FNF) are uncommon in black
Africans although osteoporosis accompanying iron overload (from
traditional beer brewed in iron containers) associated with ascorbic
acid deficiency (oxidative catabolism by iron) has been described
from
sub-Saharan Africa. This study describes histomorphometric findings
of
iliac crest bone biopsies and serum biochemical markers of iron
overload and of alcohol abuse and ascorbic acid levels in 50 black
patients with FNFs (29 M, 21 F), age 62 years (40-95) years (median
[min-max]), and in age- and gender-matched black controls. We found
evidence of iron overload in 88% of patients and elevated markers of
alcohol abuse in 72%. Significant correlations between markers of
iron
overload and of alcohol abuse reflect a close association between the
two toxins. Patients had higher levels of iron markers, i.e., siderin
deposits in bone marrow (P < 0.0001), chemical non-heme bone iron (P
=
0.012), and serum ferritin (P = 0.017) than controls did. Leukocyte
ascorbic acid levels were lower (P = 0.0008) than in controls. The
alcohol marker mean red blood cell volume was elevated (P = 0.002)
but
not liver enzymes or uric acid. Bone volume, trabecular thickness,
and
trabecular number were lower, and trabecular separation was greater
in
patients than in controls, all at P < 0.0005; volume, surface, and
thickness of osteoid were lower and eroded surface was greater, all
at
P < 0.0001. There was no osteomalacia. Ascorbic acid deficiency
accounted significantly for decrease in bone volume and trabecular
number, and increase in trabecular separation, osteoid surface, and
eroded surface; iron overload accounted for a reduction in mineral
apposition rate. Alcohol markers correlated negatively with
osteoblast
surface and positively with eroded surface. Relative to reported data
in white FNF patients, the osteoporosis was more severe, showed lower
osteoid variables and greater eroded surface; FNFs occurred 12 years
earlier and were more common among men. We conclude that the
osteoporosis underlying FNFs in black Africans is severe, with marked
uncoupling of resorption and formation in favor of resorption. All
three factors--ascorbic acid deficiency, iron overload, and alcohol
abuse--contributed to the osteoporosis, in that order.


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