Age-related changes in serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-II and its binding proteins correlate with calcaneal bone mineral density among post-menopausal South-Indian women.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system components are important regulators of bone metabolism, which have a predominant role in determining bone mineral density (BMD). While the serum levels of IGF-I are regulated by various systemic hormones and growth factors, IGF-II levels reflect the skeletal production relative to physical activity, mechanical loading, aging, race etc. Though various studies have been carried out among women of different ethnic groups to understand the relationship between serum levels of IGF-II and BMD, the results seem to be quite inconclusive.

Dihydrotestosterone is a determinant of calcaneal bone mineral density in men.

Male osteoporosis is an increasingly important health problem worldwide. Though androgen deficiency leads to bone loss in men, information on the relative contribution of aromatizable and non-aromatizable androgens in maintaining bone mineral density (BMD) and the mechanisms involved are unclear. This cross-sectional study was designed to explore the same.