The influence of serum leptin concentration on bone mass assessed by quantitative ultrasonometry in pre and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of serum leptin concentration on bone mass assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a large sample of healthy pre and postmenopausal women. DESIGN: 555 healthy pre and postmenopausal (n=261 and n=294) women (mean age, 49.5+/-17.2 years) not on hormone replacement therapy were recruited on the occasion of a routine gynecological visit. Before entry to the study, all women had answered a detailed questionnaire on important risk factors and gave written informed consent. Speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and stiffness index (SI) of the os Calcis were measured using the Achilles ultrasonometer (GE/lunar). We systematically investigated the relation of menopause, BMI and leptin on bone mass by allocating women into the following groups: (a) premenopausal women BMI<25 kg/m(2) (N=178); (b) premenopausal women BMI>25 kg/m(2) (N=83); (c) postmenopausal women BMI<25 kg/m(2) (N=125); and (d) postmenopausal women BMI>25 kg/m(2) (N=169). Additionally we investigated the relation of serum leptin concentrations, age and BMI on ultrasonometry variables by performing a multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: in the initial analyses premenopausal women showed a significantly (P<0.001) lower mean age, weight, BMI, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leptin concentration, a higher mean height, serum estradiol and ultrasonometry variables in comparison to postmenopausal women. Irrespective of the menopausal status, women with a BMI>25 kg/m(2) had significantly higher leptin concentrations (P<0.001) and BUA (P<0.05) whereas SOS and SI was not significant different, compared to women with a BMI<25 kg/m(2). The multiple linear regression analyses showed that only BMI but not Leptin was related to higher ultrasonometry variables, whereas increasing age was associated with a decrease in ultrasonometry variables. Furthermore, the multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that age and BMI were the only statistically significant independent predictor for ultrasonometry variables. There was no significant influence of leptin on ultrasonometry variables even after controlling for BMI or age, or BMI and age. CONCLUSIONS: serum leptin concentrations are significantly higher in pre and postmenopausal obese women, compared with normal weight controls. Ultrasonometry variables are influenced by age and BMI but not by serum leptin concentrations.

Age-associated changes in bone ultrasonometry of the os calcis.

This cross-sectional study updated age changes for ultrasonometry (QUS) of the os calcis in a large sample of healthy German women. The speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI) of the os calcaneus were measured in 5148 women (mean age 55.2 +/- 10.6 yr) using the Achilles ultrasonometer (GE/Lunar). There was an overall decline of 16% for BUA, 4% for SOS, and 32% for SI between late adolescence and old age. In premenopausal women, BUA decreased only slightly (-2%), whereas postmenopausal women showed a significantly increased decline (-12%). In contrast, SOS continuously decreased from the age of 15; there was a decline of 2% from adolescence to menopause. The SI of premenopausal women decreased only by 9%, but the postmenopausal decline of almost 21% was significantly greater. In accordance to our previous report, the age regression for SI in the larger sample differed from the earlier sample, indicating an increased bone loss with aging after the menopause. The SI values in premenopausal German women were comparable to those for British and American women 20-50 yr of age. After age 50, the SI of German women was significantly 3-7% higher in comparison to the British and American reference population.

[Sonographic patterns of littoral cell angioma: case report and review of the literature]. / Das sonographische Bild des Littoralzellangioms: Fallbericht und Literaturzusammenstellung.

AIM: Littoral cell angioma is a rare benign tumour of vascular proliferation unique to the spleen. Definitive sonographic patterns are yet unknown and are described in this paper. METHOD: We report about 2 patients with histologically confirmed Littoral cell angioma. The sonographic features of these and 5 additional cases in the literature are presented. RESULTS: Littoral cell angioma is characterized by splenomegaly (6 out of 7 cases) with small nodular hyperechoic focal lesions (6 out of 7 cases). A solitary hyperechoic tumour (1 out of 7 cases) is a rare event. CONCLUSION: Littoral cell angioma is a recently discovered tumour and should be included in the differential diagnosis of a hyperechoic splenic tumour.