High Cathepsin K Levels in Men with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer on Suppressive l-Thyroxine Therapy
P Mikosch, K Kerschan-Schindl, W Woloszczuk… - Thyroid, 2008 - liebertpub.com
P Mikosch, K Kerschan-Schindl, W Woloszczuk, H Stettner, S Kudlacek, E Kresnik…
Thyroid, 2008•liebertpub.comBackground: Thyroid hormone administration is associated with low bone density in some
studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence l-thyroxine, in doses
used to treat patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma, on serum cathepsin K and other
markers of bone metabolism. Cathepsin K is thought to have a role in osteoclast mediated
bone resorption. Methods: A group of male patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
on suppressive l-thyroxine therapy (DTC-group; n= 51; mean age 57 years; TSH< 0.1 mU/L) …
studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence l-thyroxine, in doses
used to treat patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma, on serum cathepsin K and other
markers of bone metabolism. Cathepsin K is thought to have a role in osteoclast mediated
bone resorption. Methods: A group of male patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
on suppressive l-thyroxine therapy (DTC-group; n= 51; mean age 57 years; TSH< 0.1 mU/L) …
Background: Thyroid hormone administration is associated with low bone density in some studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence l-thyroxine, in doses used to treat patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma, on serum cathepsin K and other markers of bone metabolism. Cathepsin K is thought to have a role in osteoclast mediated bone resorption.
Methods: A group of male patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) on suppressive l-thyroxine therapy (DTC-group; n = 51; mean age 57 years; TSH < 0.1 mU/L) was selected as a model for hyperthyroidism. The results were compared to a group of healthy euthyroid men (control-group; n = 50; mean age 58 years; TSH 1.5 ± 0.9 mU/L).
Results: In the DTC-group the median value of cathepsin K was 6.9 pmol/L, in the control group 4.8 pmol/L (p = 0.0052; highly significant [h.s.]). There was a significant negative correlation of cathepsin K with age (r = −0.279, p = 0.028). The analysis of various bone associated parameters revealed an increase of serum crosslaps in the DTC-group versus euthyroid controls (p = 0.03). A significant correlation could be found for cathepsin K and osteoprotegerin (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: Cathepsin K is increased by a suppressive l-thyroxine therapy and decreases with increasing age. The increased cathepsin K levels seen in DTC-patients on suppressive l-thyroxine therapy are likely to contribute to accelerated bone degradation in these patients.
Mary Ann Liebert