Dairy- and supplement-based calcium intake in adulthood and vertebral dimensions in midlife-the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study.

Among a representative sample of 1064 Northern Finns, we studied the association of dairy- and supplement-based calcium intake in adulthood with vertebral size in midlife. Inadequate calcium intake (< 800 mg/day) from age 31 to 46 predicted small vertebral size and thus decreased spinal resilience among women but not men. INTRODUCTION: Small vertebral size predisposes individuals to fractures, which are common among aging populations. Although previous studies have associated calcium (Ca) intake with enhanced bone geometry in the appendicular skeleton, few reports have addressed the axial skeleton or the vertebrae in particular. We aimed to investigate the association of dairy- and supplement-based Ca intake in adulthood with vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) in midlife. METHODS: A sample of 1064 individuals from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 had undergone lumbar magnetic resonance imaging at the age of 46, and provided self-reported data on diet and Ca intake (dairy consumption and use of Ca supplements) at the ages of 31 and 46. We assessed the association between Ca intake (both continuous and categorized according to local recommended daily intake) and vertebral CSA, using generalized estimating equation and linear regression models with adjustments for body mass index, diet, vitamin D intake, education, leisure-time physical activity, and smoking. RESULTS: Women with inadequate Ca intake (< 800 mg/day) over the follow-up had 3.8% smaller midlife vertebral CSA than women with adequate Ca intake (p = 0.009). Ca intake among men showed no association with vertebral CSA. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate Ca intake (< 800 mg/day) from the age of 31 to 46 predicts small vertebral size and thus decreased spinal resilience among middle-aged women. Future studies should confirm these findings and investigate the factors underlying the association of low Ca intake in women but not in men with smaller vertebral size.

Hepatocyte growth factor is a potential biomarker for osteoproliferation and osteoporosis in ankylosing spondylitis.

We explored relations between serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), disease activity, osteoproliferation, and bone mineral density (BMD) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in comparison with healthy controls. HGF was increased especially in male AS patients and smokers and associated with both lower BMD and more chronic radiographic changes in the spine. INTRODUCTION: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by both osteoproliferation and increased bone loss. Biomarkers are requested to predict the processes. The aims of this study were to compare serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in AS patients with healthy controls (HC) and to explore the associations with disease activity, osteoproliferation, and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Serum from AS patients (modified NY-criteria) and HC was analyzed for HGF, MMP-3, and VEGF with ELISA. Disease activity parameters were collected. Osteoproliferation was assessed with modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) and BMD was measured in femoral neck. RESULTS: Totally, 204 AS patients and 80 sex and age matched HC were included. Serum HGF was higher in the AS patients compared with the HC, whereas serum MMP-3 and VEGF were not. Serum HGF was also higher in smokers and in the male AS patients positively correlated with age, BASMI, and mSASSS, and negatively correlated with BMD. The biomarkers were all positively associated with ESR, CRP, and WBC. In multiple linear regression analysis serum HGF remained associated with higher mSASSS and lower BMD, after adjusting for age, sex, CRP, smoking, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HGF was increased in male AS patients and associated with higher mSASSS and lower BMD. In addition, serum HGF was positively associated with risk factors for osteoproliferation such as age, CRP and smoking. HGF could be a potential biomarker of importance for the bone metabolism in AS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00858819.