Rafael Muñoz

Serum β-2 microglobulin is a marker of high bone remodelling in elderly women

Abstract β -2 microglobulin ( β 2m), the water soluble extrinsic light chain of class I MHC, has been recently isolated from the adult bone culture medium. Serum β 2m plays a role as a bone-derived growth factor regulating both osteoblast and osteoclast cell activity. Serum β 2m has been proposed as a bone remodeling biological marker in high bone turnover conditions. The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between β 2m and vitamin D status in post-menopausal women. We have studied 44 healthy women from 20 to 80 years with normal hepatic and renal function, without diabetes mellitus and/or inflammatory, tumoral or infectious diseases. We measured the serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), 25-OHD 3 (calcidiol), 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (calcitriol) and β 2m. Serum β 2m levels increased with age ( r =0.54, P β 2m (1.76±0.22 mg/l vs. 1.35±0.2 mg/l, P P 3 (7.5±2.3 ng/ml vs. 18.2±2.5 ng/ml, P β 2m were negatively correlated with 25-OHD 3 ( r =−0.34, P r =−0.45, P r =0.48, P β 2m as a regulator of bone metabolism and its potential use as a marker of high bone turnover in post-menopausal women, specially in elderly women with vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Anomalous creatine kinase isoenzymes in serum from patients with rectal carcinoma

Sera from eight patients with biopsy-proven rectal carcinoma were assayed for creatine kinase (CK). Two of the patients had enzyme activity: one with the BB and the other with an MB isoenzyme. We think that our results may be of interest because the detection of anomalous isoenzymes of CK in serum may serve as a diagnostic marker or as an indicator of the effectiveness of treatment.