A study of bone Gla protein and hydroxyproline in the blood of chronic hemodialysis patients

Purpose: Bone Gla protein (BGP) and hydroxyproline were measured in the blood of chronic hemodialysis patients to determine if either or both could be used as bone metabolism markers. Methods: The BGP and hydroxyproline measurments were obtained by the RIA and HPLC, respectively, in a total of 114 cases. The values thus obtained were then compared in terms of parameters related to bone metabolism. Results: 1) Blood BGP and hydroxyproline both demonstrated high values: 36.6±25.0ng/ml and 5.05±2.56μg/ml, respectively. 2) A significant correlation was demonstrated between BGP and hydroxyproline. 3) BGP and hydroxyproline both demonstrated a positive correlation to PTH-C and ALP. 4) A negative correlation was shown between BGP and both the MCI and ΣGS/D of the bone of the 2nd. finger. A negative correlation was also shown between hydroxyproline and ΣGS/D. 5) A positive correlation was demonstrated between both BGP and hydroxyproline and the RI uptake ratio, i.e., the count ratio between bone scintigraphy counts obtained in ROI placed in both the lumbar soft tissue and the third lumbar bone of the spine. Conclusion: BGP and hydroxyproline were both shown to be important bone metabolism markers which will demonstrate turnover in hemodialysis patients.