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Journal of Translational Medicine

Review
Open Access

The clinical utility of bone marker measurements in osteoporosis

  • Gillian Wheater1, 2Email author,
  • Mohsen Elshahaly2, 3,
  • Stephen P Tuck2, 3,
  • Harish K Datta2 and
  • Jacob M van Laar2, 3
Journal of Translational Medicine201311:201

https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5876-11-201

©  Wheater et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013

Received: 11 February 2013

Accepted: 21 August 2013

Published: 29 August 2013

Abstract

Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in increased fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporotic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Direct medical costs from such fractures in the UK are currently estimated at over two billion pounds per year, resulting in a substantial healthcare burden that is expected to rise exponentially due to increasing life expectancy. Currently bone mineral density is the WHO standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis, but poor sensitivity means that potential fractures will be missed if it is used alone. During the past decade considerable progress has been made in the identification and characterisation of specific biomarkers to aid the management of metabolic bone disease. Technological developments have greatly enhanced assay performance producing reliable, rapid, non-invasive cost effective assays with improved sensitivity and specificity. We now have a greater understanding of the need to regulate pre-analytical sample collection to minimise the effects of biological variation. However, bone turnover markers (BTMs) still have limited clinical utility. It is not routinely recommended to use BTMs to select those at risk of fractures, but baseline measurements of resorption markers are useful before commencement of anti-resorptive treatment and can be checked 3–6 months later to monitor response and adherence to treatment. Similarly, formation markers can be used to monitor bone forming agents. BTMs may also be useful when monitoring patients during treatment holidays and aid in the decision as to when therapy should be recommenced. Recent recommendations by the Bone Marker Standards Working Group propose to standardise research and include a specific marker of bone resorption (CTX) and bone formation (P1NP) in all future studies. It is hoped that improved research in turn will lead to optimised markers for the clinical management of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.

Keywords

Bone turnover markersBone formationBone resorptionOsteoporosisBiological variability

Introduction

Bone is a specialised connective tissue consisting primarily of glycoproteins and proteoglycans. The fibres of bone are mostly composed of type-I collagen impregnated with mineral in the form of hydroxyapatite. The functional integrity and strength of the skeleton is maintained by this highly cross-linked structure. Several factors may be involved in determining bone quality, including bone density and qualitative determinants of bone strength such as the rate of bone turnover, the extent of trabecular connectivity, cortical and periosteal bone size and skeletal morphometry [1]. Bone is metabolically active and is constantly being repaired and remodelled throughout an individual’s lifetime. Approximately twenty percent of bone tissue is replaced annually varying by site and type [2]. Remodelling begins before birth and continues until death, it is a highly synchronised process contained within basic multicellular units (Figure 1). Recent research has demonstrated the role of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/ receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B/ osteoprotegerin (RANKL/RANK/OPG) in regulating bone metabolism [3]. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), PTH-related peptide (PTH-rP), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, prostaglandin E2, and interleukins among others regulate bone turnover through this system [4]. Additionally, bone metabolism is now known to be at least partly regulated by osteocytes, the fully differentiated osteoblasts present in lacunae in the mineralised matrix and osteoid tissue of bone [1]. Osteocytes detect mechanical loads and release signalling molecules (Figure 2) which coordinate the recruitment and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts thereby controlling bone turnover [5].
Figure 1
Figure 1

The bone remodelling cycle. The bone remodelling cycle lasts 150–200 days and is primarily mediated by osteoblastic signals which promote the differentiation and maturation of osteoclast precursors. Activated osteoclasts create resorption pits with low pH to dissolve the inorganic matrix and lysomal enzymes, such as TRAP and cathepsin K, effectively digest the exposed type-1 collagen releasing specific degradation products. Osteoblasts are attracted to this eroded surface and begin to form new osteoid. Type-1 collagen, abundant in osteoblasts, is secreted as a procollagen precursor molecule into the extracellular space where it is cleaved at the amino- and carboxy-terminals releasing pro-peptides into the blood. Initially hydroxyapatite crystals are deposited in the osteoid then a slower mineralisation process continues over several months, followed by a period of quiescence. RANKL, an essential osteoclastogenic cytokine, is expressed on the surface of osteoblasts, it binds to its cellular receptor RANK on pre-osteoclasts and promotes their differentiation and activation. OPG a decoy receptor for RANKL, is secreted by osteoblasts and other stromal derived cells and reduces bone resorption by binding to RANK and preventing osteoclastic activity.

Figure 2
Figure 2

Mechanism of blockade of the Wnt signalling pathway by osteocytes. Osteocytes detect changes in bone morphology through their sensitivity to mechanical forces, thereby regulating bone turnover through direct physical contact with osteoblasts. Osteocytes produce OPN, DMP, MEPE, SCL and DKK-1. The β-catenin-dependent canonical Wnt signalling pathway controls gene expression by stabilizing β-catenin in regulating a diverse array of biological processes. It is initiated by binding of appropriate Wnt ligands to the frizzled (Fz) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP-5/6) and can be antagonized by secreted proteins from SCL and the DKK family, that bind with high affinity to LRP-5 or LRP-6, thereby directly prevent Wnt binding. Wnt proteins act on osteoblast precursor cells through this pathway and promote their differentiation into mature osteoblasts. In addition, they can suppress bone resorption by up-regulating OPG and down-regulating RANKL expression in mature osteoblasts, leading to a net increase in bone mass [6]. Additionally research has targeted the complex regulation of osteocyte action by expression of PTH/PTHrP receptor’s (PPR’s). Osteocyte activation of PPR leads to down-regulation of Sost and increased Wnt signalling stimulating bone formation, accompanied by up-regulation of RANKL expression and osteoclast number increasing resorption. In contrast the main effect of PPR deletion on osteocytes is reduced osteoclast and osteoblast numbers and decreased bone remodelling [7].

Under normal conditions bone formation and resorption are tightly linked through a variety of regulatory signals. Osteoporosis occurs when bone resorption is the more active resulting in a low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to increased bone fragility and consequent increase in fracture risk. Osteoporotic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, in the year 2010 there were an estimated 300,000 osteoporotic fractures in the UK and direct medical costs from such fractures were estimated at over two billion pounds [8]. Osteoporosis may be either primary (idiopathic) or secondary to a large number of conditions. These include hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, skeletal metastases, multiple myeloma, anticonvulsant or oral corticosteroid use and alcohol abuse. Up to 30% of women and 55% of men with symptomatic vertebral crush fractures have an underlying cause of secondary osteoporosis [9]. The prevalence of osteoporosis increases with age, bone loss is reportedly more rapid in females in the first few years post menopause and is influenced by oestrogen deficiency [10], but it is also thought to increase in ageing men [11]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined osteoporosis as a bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) 2.5 standard deviations (SD) or more below the mean peak bone mass of premenopausal females (T-score ≤ −2.5 SD) [12]. Technical developments in the measurement of BMD have led to its adoption as the standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis, however the relatively poor sensitivity contrasting with high specificity means that many potential fractures will be missed if BMD assessment is used alone [13].

In recent years cellular components of the bone matrix have been identified and categorised as either markers of bone formation or resorption. Reliable, rapid, non-invasive, cost effective assays have been developed with improved sensitivity and specificity. Although these markers have been used in research for a long time they are only now being recognised as tools in the clinical management of bone disease. Technological advances have greatly enhanced the accuracy and reliability of bone marker measurement, although assays still vary significantly. In this review we will summarise the most widely used bone turnover makers (BTMs), briefly look at more novel markers and discuss their strengths, weaknesses and their clinical utility in the management of osteoporosis.

Commonly used markers of bone turnover

Biomarkers of bone turnover can be measured in blood or urine and are used in selective combinations of formation and resorption markers that express the metabolic activity of osteoblasts or osteoclasts respectively, although in most circumstances the bone remodelling processes are coupled and tend to change in parallel. BTMs do not control skeletal metabolism and are not disease specific; they reflect the entire skeleton regardless of the underlying cause. Some markers represent both processes, e.g. osteocalcin (OC). Several of the available markers are non-specific, i.e. they are present in tissues other than bone and may therefore be influenced by non-skeletal processes [14]. Results should therefore always take into consideration the whole clinical picture and an understanding of the nature and source of each marker is essential for a comprehensive interpretation. The major advantages and disadvantages of each marker are included in Table 1.
Table 1

Major sources of variability in biochemical markers of bone turnover

Bone marker (Abbreviation)

Source

Action

Advantages

Disadvantages

Analysis and sample type

Formation markers

Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (BAP)

Enzyme present in osteoblast plasma membranes

Enzymatic degradation of the mineralisation inhibitor pyrophosphate at alkaline pH

Low intra-individual variability <10% [15] Not affected by renal function [15] Food has little effect [16] Long circulatory half-life 1–2 days [17] Sample stability [18] Cheap

Up to 20% cross reactivity with liver isoforms [14] Changes with therapy minimal i.e. less than LSC of 25% [15] 2 peaks at 14:00 and 23:30 hrs Nadir 30% ↓at 06:30 [19] Multiple methodologies, can measure mass or activity [20]

Automated and manual immunoassays Serum, EDTA plasma

Osteocalcin (OC)

Major non-collagen bone Gla protein. Produced by osteoblasts during bone formation and bound to hydroxyapatite

Influences osteoid mineralisation Provides negative feedback during remodelling process

EDTA sample more stable [21] Late marker of osteoblast activity [15]

Intact molecule unstable [15] Large inter-lab variation [20] Released during formation and resorption [17] Short half-life of a few minutes [22, 23] Influenced by Vit K status, renal function and circadian variability [15, 17] OC gene regulated at transcriptional level by 1,25-OH2 Vit D Vit K essential co-factor for γ-carboxylation of OC resulting in ↑ affinity for Ca and hydroxyapatite [14]

Automated and manual immunoassays Multiplex microarray Serum, EDTA plasma

Procollagen type 1 Carboxy-terminal Propeptide (P1CP)

Specific product of proliferating osteoblasts and fibroblasts.

Cleaved from type 1 pro-collagen by proteases during type 1 collagen formation

Quantitative measure of newly formed type 1 collagen Thermostability [14]

Short half-life 6-8mins [14] Cleared in liver by mannose receptor so sensitive to thyroid hormones and IGF-1 [20] Highest levels 01:30 – 04:30, up to 20% higher than nadir 11:00 – 15:00 [19] Lacks sensitivity to changes during menopause [14]

Automated and manual immunoassays Serum, EDTA plasma

*Procollagen type 1 amiNo-terminal Propeptide (P1NP)

Specific product of proliferating osteoblasts and fibroblasts.

Cleaved from type 1 pro-collagen by proteases during type 1 collagen formation

Low intra-individual variability[20] Small circadian rhythm[15] Stable at room temp[21] Good assay precision[20] Superior for PMO monitoring - change from baseline ↑up to 80% with anti-resorptive and ↓up to 200% with PTH medication within 3months[15]

Total assay affected by delayed clearance of monomeric fraction e.g. in renal failure or metastatic bone disease[24] Expensive

Automated and manual immunoassays Multiplex microarray Total or Intact fractions Serum, EDTA plasma

Resorption markers Collagen derived

*Carboxy-Terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type 1 collagen (CTX)

Type 1 collagen mainly bone Isomerisation to β aspartyl occurs in mature collagen

Cleaved from type 1 collagen by cathepsin-K during bone resorption

Variability↓ fasting[25] Sample stability, especially EDTA[18][21] Substantial ↓ post anti-resorptive treatment[26] Blood sample now preferential

Large circadian variation – highest 01:30 – 04:30 approx 2x nadir 11:00–15:00[27]

Automated and manual immunoassays Multiplex microarray Urine, serum, EDTA plasma

Carboxy-Terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type 1 collagen (ICTP or CTX-MMP)

Newly synthesised type 1 collagen predominantly bone

Cleaved from type 1 collagen by MMP during bone resorption

 

Large circadian variation [20] Influenced by renal and liver function [20] Not responsive to usual osteoporotic treatments [20]

Manual immunoassay

amiNo-Terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type 1 collagen (NTX)

Type 1 collagen mainly bone

Cleaved from type 1 collagen by cathepsin-K during bone resorption

Urine sample stable [15] uNTX sig predictor of fracture risk in postmenopausal women [28] Small dietary influence, although fasting blood sample preferred [15]

Large circadian variation Influenced by renal and liver function [20] Units based on manufacturer’s calibrator i.e. bone collagen equivalents [15]

Automated and manual immunoassays Urine, serum, EDTA plasma

Type 1 collagen alpha 1 helicoidal peptide (HELP)

Type 1 collagen Amino acid 620–633 sequence of the α chain

Cleaved from helical region of type 1 collagen by cathepsin-K during bone resorption

High correlation to other markers of collagen degradation [14]

24 hr collection – hard to collect 2nd morning void with creatinine correction – additional analytical variability Clinical validity needs further investigation

Manual immunoassay Urinary marker

Deoxypyridinoline (DPD)

Mature type 1 collagen

Cross link released when mature type 1 collagen breaks down Mechanically stabilise the molecule

Reflect degradation of mature collagen only Specific to bone [14] Independent of dietary sources [20] Less invasive than blood

24 hr collection – hard to collect 2nd morning void with creatinine correction – additional analytical variability Circadian variation [20]

Automated and manual immunoassays Urinary marker

Pyridinoline (PYD)

Mature type 1 and 11 collagen

Cross link released when mature collagen type 1 and 11 breaks down Mechanically stabilise the molecule

Reflect degradation of mature collagen only Independent of dietary sources [20]

Non-specific 24 hr collection – hard to collect 2nd morning void with creatinine correction – additional analytical variability Circadian variation [20] Influenced by liver function [20]

Automated and manual immunoassays Urinary marker

Resorption markers Osteoclastic Enzymes

Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase –isoform 5b (TRAP5b)

Isoform of acid phosphatase, resistant to tartrate, cleaved by proteases into 5b, present in ruffled border of osteoclasts

Cleaves type 1 collagen into fragments

Characteristic of osteoclastic activity [14]

Unstable at room temperature [22, 23] Circadian variability ↑ immediately after exercise [29]

Automated and manual immunoassays Serum

Cathepsin K

Cysteine protease present in ruffled border of actively resorbing osteoclasts

Cleaves telopeptide and helical regions of type 1 collagen

Specific biomarker of osteoclastic activity [14]

Unstable at room temp Clinical validity needs further investigation

Manual immunoassay Serum, EDTA plasma

Osteocyte activity markers

Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa B Ligand (RANKL)

Produced by osteoblasts, activated by B and T cells

Binds to RANK, which is expressed on osteoclasts and their precursors, stimulating their differentiation and activity

Novel biomarker Provide safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics data to confirm drug mechanisms and mode of action for future use

Analytical problems Can measure free or OPG-bound [30] Circulating levels may not reflect bone microenvironment [31] Affected by thyroid function [32] Research method only Clinical and analytical validity needs further investigation

Manual research –grade immunoassay Total or soluble forms in serum

Osteoprotegerin (OPG)

Secreted by osteoblasts

Decoy receptor to RANKL reduces bone resorption by binding to RANK and preventing osteoclastogenesis

Novel biomarker Provide safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics data to confirm drug mechanisms and mode of action for future use

Affected by thyroid function [32] Research method only Clinical and analytical validity needs further investigation

Manual research-grade immunoassay Serum

Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1)

Produced by osteocytes

Inhibition of Wnt signalling pathway through binding to LRP5/6, blocking the Wnt effects on osteoblasts and decreasing bone formation

Key role in regulation of bone turnover

Research method only Clinical and analytical validity needs further investigation

Manual research –grade immunoassay Serum

Sclerostin (SCL)

Secreted by osteocytes

Inhibition of Wnt signalling pathway through binding to LRP5/6, blocking the Wnt effects on osteoblasts and decreasing bone formation

Significant ↓ with PTH therapy [33]

Research method only Affected by immobility [34] ↑ in type 1 and 2 diabetes [35, 36] Clinical and analytical validity needs further investigation

Manual research-grade immunoassaySerum

*P1NP and CTX (highlighted in bold) are the markers of choice, recommended by the IOF, IFCC (2011) and NBHA (2012).

ALP alkaline phosphatase, BSAP bone specific alkaline phosphatase, CTX carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type 1 collagen, DKK-1 dickkopf-related protein 1, DPD deoxypyridinoline, EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, HELP Type 1 collagen alpha 1 helicoidal peptide, ICTP carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen, IGF-1 insulin-like growth factor-1, LRP low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, MMP matrix metalloproteinases, NTX amino-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen, OPG osteoprotegerin, OC osteocalcin, PICP procollagen type 1 carboxy-terminal propeptide, PINP procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, PYD pyridinoline, RANK receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B, RANKL receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, SCL sclerostin, TRAP tartrate resistant acid phosphatase.

Markers of bone formation

Markers of bone formation are either by-products of active osteoblasts expressed during the various phases of their development or osteoblastic enzymes. The most widely used markers of bone formation are measured in serum or plasma and include: bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), osteocalcin and the carboxy- and amino-terminal propeptides of type 1 collagen (P1CP, P1NP). P1NP has several functional advantages and has been recommended by the Bone Marker Standards Working Group; it has low inter-individual variability [20] and is relatively stable in serum at room temperature [21]. P1NP is cleared by liver endothelial cells via a macrophage receptor species, the scavenger receptor, that recognises and endocytoses modified proteins [37]. P1NP is released as a trimeric structure, but is rapidly broken down to a monomeric form by thermal degradation [38]. Current immunoassays detect either the trimeric ‘intact’ molecule (automated IDS iSYS assay) or can measure both fractions and are thus called ‘total’ P1NP assays (automated Roche Elecsys assay).

Markers of bone resorption

The majority of bone resorption markers are degradation products of bone collagen, the exception being tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP5b). Earlier research into bone metabolism relied primarily on urinary markers such as pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD), which were time-consuming and cumbersome and relied on complete twenty-four hour urine collections or second morning void/ creatinine ratios, increasing the imprecision of the measurement. However, now that serum/ plasma markers are available these have become the preferred means of measuring resorption. Examples include carboxy-terminal and amino-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX and NTX respectively), of which CTX is considered the marker of choice [20]. CTX is generated by cathepsin K activity, the CTX epitope contains an aspartyl-glycine motif that is susceptible to spontaneous isomerisation and racemisation generating four isoforms [17]; the α-aspartic acid converts to the β-form as the bone ages. Two automated immunoassays are available that target βCTX indicative of the breakdown of mature type 1 collagen (IDS iSYS and Roche Elecsys). The major disadvantage of CTX is its large circadian variation necessitating a morning fasting sample for accurate interpretation [25]. The choice of marker in clinical practice needs to be made on pragmatic grounds. Urine NTX may be the preferred marker in the clinic setting as unlike plasma CTX, it is not as sensitive to circadian changes and is not affected by food intake, it also avoids the invasive venepuncture associated with a blood sample and may be preferred by patients [39]. However the various drugs licensed for the treatment of osteoporosis have a differing spectrum of effects on BTMs and not all markers respond by the same amount for a given degree of bone resorption. Amongst the bone resorption markers, plasma CTX tends to change more than urine NTX which tends to change more than TRAP5b [20].

Markers of osteoclastogenesis

Osteoclast regulatory proteins are commonly measured in research, but have yet to find a niche clinically. The discovery of the OPG/RANK/RANKL system has clarified a major component of the bone remodelling cycle. RANKL is expressed in vivo in either membrane-bound or soluble form (sRANKL) and is also present in serum as a free or OPG-bound molecule, as a consequence design differences between immunoassays have created difficulties in comparing research and interpreting clinical data [30]. Furthermore circulating levels may not reflect the bone microenvironment [31]. Research into the relationship between circulating levels of OPG and sRANKL to BMD in postmenopausal osteoporosis are controversial, some studies reporting an inverse relationship [40], while others have found no association [41]. Rigorous testing of commercial assays and identification of the sources of variability are required before they can be adapted to routine clinical practice.

Osteocyte markers

Over the last decade research has focused mainly on the role of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in osteoporosis, more recently however, osteocytes have been found to play a key role in the regulation of bone turnover. Osteocytes are fully differentiated osteoblasts and lie in lacunae in the mineralized matrix and osteoid tissue of bone [42]. Osteocytes are able to detect changes in bone morphology, particularly micro-fractures through their sensitivity to mechanical forces, acting like bone mechanoreceptors [43]. They regulate bone turnover both through direct physical contact with other bone cells and by producing various factors which affect bone formation and can be measured in blood such as, sclerostin (SCL), dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE).

DKK1 and SCL are secreted osteocyte markers acting as inhibitors to the Wnt signalling pathway through binding to low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 and 6 (LRP5/6) and hence blocking the Wnt effects on osteoblasts decreasing bone formation (Figure 2) [44, 45]. In vivo studies have shown that osteocyte depletion results in profound loss of trabecular bone mass [46–48] and suggest a close interaction between osteocytes and other bone cells, highlighting their role in the regulation of both bone formation and resorption.

Although widely used in research, their diagnostic importance remains to be validated due in part to their analytical and biological variability. In healthy adults, SCL levels correlate positively with age, BMI, and bone mineral content and negatively with osteocalcin and calcium [49]. SCL is increased in type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the transcriptional suppression of SCL production by PTH might be impaired in type 1 and type 2 diabetes [35]. SCL levels are significantly lower in osteoporotic compared to non-osteoporotic patients with type 2 diabetes [36]. The Wnt signalling pathway has recently been identified as central to the development of disuse osteoporosis [50]. Mechanical unloading in long-term immobilized patients causes up regulation of SCL and therefore inhibits bone formation via suppressed osteoblast activity and survival [34]. Circulating SCL reflects the severity of bone loss and is a candidate biomarker of osteoporosis severity in chronic spinal cord injury [51]. Higher serum SCL levels are associated with a greater risk of hip fractures in older women. In addition, the risk of hip fracture is amplified when high SCL levels are combined with lower BMD [52]. Serum SCL levels are regulated by both estrogens and PTH in postmenopausal women [53]. Serum SCL is decreased in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis compared with non-osteoporotic early postmenopausal women and positively correlated to lumbar spine BMD. Furthermore, levels are increased after 6 months treatment with risedronate, but remain essentially unchanged after 6 months teriparatide treatment [54]. However, serum or plasma SCL concentrations should be interpreted with caution as current assays produce very different results. Standardization of sclerostin assays is necessary before being introduced into general clinical laboratory use [55].

Variability in markers of bone turnover

An understanding of the source and magnitude of the absolute inter and intra-person variability, including biological, pre-analytic and analytical variation, of each marker is necessary to interpret serial measurements and individualise treatment.

Biological variability

Intra-individual variation

Bone turnover shows a circadian rhythm, this is more obvious in the serum and urinary markers of bone resorption. βCTX for example is highest between 01:30 and 04:30 hours and may be more than twice that at the nadir between 11:00 and 15:00 hours [27], this may be attenuated by several factors such as; age, gender, ethnicity, menopausal status, osteoporotic stage and anti-resorptive agents or calcium supplementation [19], but the disparity is diminished with fasting [25]. All bone markers are significantly lower in the fed state with the exception of BSAP, this may be due to several factors including the clearance rate of individual markers or food composition [16] and may be partly explained by variation in serum insulin [25]. Osteocalcin and P1CP follow the same diurnal pattern but show only twenty percent difference and BSAP has two peaks at 14:00 and 23:30 hours with a nadir thirty percent reduced at 06:30 [19]. Therefore timing of the sample collection and fasting status should be tightly controlled.

The existence of intra-individual low-frequency biological rhythms, imply that biomarkers can also vary between consecutive days, this is more noticeable in the urinary resorption markers [14]. There is a degree of controversy regarding seasonal variation with some researchers suggesting that overall seasonal changes are insignificant [56], whilst others have found a substantial wintertime increase [57], which may be due in part to reduced levels of vitamin D. Physical activity is also significant, TRAP and to a lesser extent BSAP and CTX are reduced immediately after plyometrics, but return to pre concentrations within two hours. Interestingly similar changes were found in PTH [29]. Details of exercise in the previous twenty-four hours should therefore be recorded.

Bone turnover varies with the menstrual cycle, research suggests that osteoblastic activity is higher during the luteal period [58] and bone resorption is increased during the follicular phase [59]. Pregnancy affects all BTMs due in part to the calcium requirements of the foetus, but also to changes in maternal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) affecting renal clearance. However the time change is contentious, one study following ten women at regular intervals reported an increase in urinary resorption markers throughout pregnancy with a significant increase in bone formation in the third trimester [60]. A more recent study measured serum OPG, RANKL, osteocalcin and CTX in twenty six different women at each trimester. The study found increased bone formation in the first trimester and increased resorption in the second which surprisingly decreased again in the third trimester [61]. Postpartum, levels gradually start to decrease but may still be higher than pre-pregnancy levels for up to a year [62].

A comprehensive drug history should also be taken into account when interpreting bone marker results. Anti-resorptive drugs such as bisphosphonates [26] and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) [63] have a major effect on markers of bone resorption and long-term corticosteroid therapy is known to suppress bone formation [64].

Inflammatory conditions are major precipitators for bone loss, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which is further aggravated by decreased functional activity and the use of glucocorticoids [65]. In a prior study, we found that B-cell depletion increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption in RA patients. This may be a direct effect on osteoblasts and osteoclasts respectively and be at least partially explained by the decreased inflammation and disease activity [66]. In diabetes serum osteocalcin is negatively correlated with glucose levels and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are known to have a negative impact on bone [67]. Thyroid disorders such as thyrotoxicosis are well known to affect bone turnover. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors are present in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts and the low TSH levels observed in thyroidectomised patients on L-thyroxine are associated with an increase in OPG and decrease in RANKL and are significantly correlated with vertebral fractures [32]. Bone markers are cleared through the liver or kidneys and are also influenced by diseases affecting these systems, decreased GFR for example will decrease the urinary excretion of CTX and therefore increase serum levels. They are also affected by any disease states leading to increased periods of bed rest and immobility. Research has shown that microgravity induces significant and progressive bone loss, a consequence of increased bone resorption and retardation of bone formation [68]. Certainly levels of all bone markers increase significantly in the first few weeks after fracture and may remain elevated for up to a year. The rate of increase is dependent on the location, severity and size of the fracture and the age of the patient. BTM’s can be elevated for up to 6 months after minor fractures e.g. forearm fractures but up to one year after a hip fracture and needs to be taken into consideration when measuring them [19, 69]. However, they fall gradually over time and using a reduction of 50% in bone resorption when using anti-resorptives as a good indicator of response would be greater than any reduction that might otherwise occur.

In light of the above evidence it can be seen that to use bone turnover to monitor change can be quite difficult. In order to minimise problems it is best to measure the BTMs in as similar a set of circumstances as possible. Particular attention should be paid to the time of day and hence research studies tend to use early morning fasted samples. One way in which to help overcome within person variability in serial measurements and to monitor therapy is to use the ‘least significant change’ (LSC) model [70]. LSC at a significance level of p=<0.05 is defined as 1.96*√2*√ (CV12+CVA2); where CV1 is the within-subject coefficient of variation and CVA is the total analytical imprecision. LSC identifies the true physiological change in the marker. In general a change of more than twenty percent is considered significant for formation markers [71], similarly between twenty-seven to thirty-six percent is significant for markers of bone resorption [72].

Inter-individual variation
Between person variability is much harder to control, e.g. age, gender, and menopausal status, but is equally important to validate results. Bone metabolism rates are higher in infants up to three years of age, they are relatively stable throughout adolescence but sex-specific increases in bone marker levels are evident during the pubertal growth spurt and are reportedly influenced by pubertal stage rather than age [73]. BTMs are higher in men between twenty and thirty years of age then reach their lowest levels during their fifties [14], whereas in females there is a substantial increase in bone turnover corresponding to oestrogen deficiency during the menopause [28]. We checked our local population and found a trend towards higher bone turnover in males during their third decade whilst reaching peak bone mass, although there seemed to be little evidence of any age related change in women possibly due to the lower numbers of postmenopausal females in our cohort (Figure 3). It is important for each laboratory to investigate the transferability of the quoted reference intervals to its own patient population based on equivalent standardised collection conditions. The widespread availability of automated immunoassays now means that harmonisation of method specific reference ranges is possible and studies from well-characterised populations have reported robust BTM ranges in large well defined cohorts [74]. In contrast to the use of reference ranges some researchers have suggested combining a marker of formation and resorption to gain a direct insight into the changes in the balance and rate of bone turnover in relation to a reference value [75], leading factors in estimating fracture risk and prognosis. Given the large observed differences observed between genders, different ages and developmental stages means that care must be taken when comparing populations and in the design of research studies.
Figure 3
Figure 3

Age related changes to bone turnover markers. Blood samples from seventy healthy volunteers (33 males aged 19 to 62 years and 37 females aged 20 to 64 years), collected between 10–11 am, were analysed on the Elecsys 2010 (Roche, Lewes UK), for βCTX, P1NP and osteocalcin to verify the effect of age on bone turnover.

Analytical variability

Technical variation

Over the last decade many of the traditional BTM immunoassays have been automated, improving technical performance and increasing their availability. Nevertheless, analytical aspects such as within and between batch precision, accuracy and standardisation, remain problematic. Inter-laboratory variation is also crucial; a European study in 2001, measuring pooled samples of serum and urine in seventy-three laboratories concluded that even with identical assays results for the majority of the markers were significantly different [76]. Similarly an American study in 2010 comparing six commercial laboratories over an eight month period concluded that reproducibility varied substantially for urine NTX and serum BSAP [77]. Moreover there is an extensive list of bone markers being offered making it very difficult to compare research evidence. Consequently, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) [20] and the National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA) [78], have recommended that a marker of bone formation and resorption, namely P1NP and CTX, are used as reference analytes in clinical studies. They go on to stipulate that these markers should be measured by standardised assays to minimise immunochemical heterogeneity and recommend that manufacturers adopt international reference standards and minimise batch to batch variability [20].

Sample stability

Appropriate control of sample collection and preparation is vital for successful BTM measurement. Several BTMs, especially osteocalcin and TRAP5b, are sensitive to thermo degradation and levels can be significantly reduced after only a few hours at room temperature [22, 23]. TRAP5b activity is also reduced during storage, samples must be kept at −70°C or lower and multiple freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided. No significant decrease has been detected in CTX stored at −20°C or lower for up to three years, nevertheless it rapidly decreases in serum at both 4°C and 37°C. The molecular mechanism is unknown but this decrease is minimised by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) [18]. CTX is reportedly stable in EDTA blood tubes before separation for up to forty-eight hours, likewise osteocalcin becomes stable for up to eight hours at room temperature [21]. Consequently blood should be collected into EDTA tubes and separated as soon as possible, if samples are not analysed immediately they should be stored at −20°C or lower. Both P1NP and BSAP were found to be stable in any sample type [21]. Notably current TRAP5b assays are not affected by haemolysis, but erythrocytes are known to contain proteases which degrade osteocalcin. Grossly haemolysed samples in general should always be avoided.

Clinical usefulness of bone turnover markers in osteoporosis

BTMs are frequently used in clinical trials and provide valuable information on the efficacy of osteoporotic treatments, but their predictive value is limited by their large biological variation and diagnostically they are less often used for individualized patient care. Other routine laboratory investigations are frequently used to identify or exclude secondary causes of osteoporosis such as hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D status, thyrotoxicosis and hypogonadism [79].

Diagnostic

Currently the WHO recommends the use of BMD of the spine and proximal femur measured by DXA as the gold standard to diagnose osteoporosis and its severity [12]. Although BMD has methodological limitations especially in the elderly due in part to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine [80], BTMs alone would not be suitable to estimate bone loss.

Prediction of bone loss

Women generally lose about one to two percent of their bone per year after the menopause, however thirty percent lose bone at a faster rate [28]. Longitudinal studies of post-menopausal women have demonstrated two characteristic groups; high bone turnover and normal or low bone turnover. Serial BTM measurements are effective in identifying those women who lose bone most rapidly, this is important because this group respond more readily to anti-resorptive medication [81]. Furthermore a meta-analysis of eighty-five studies reported a significant correlation between serial levels of BTMs and BMD measurements during bisphosphonate treatment [82], the association becomes stronger with advancing age [83]. However, BTMs should only be used to supplement BMD not measured in isolation.

Prediction of fracture risk

BMD is widely used to predict osteoporotic fractures but approximately thirty to fifty percent of patients with fragility fractures have T-scores above the osteoporotic threshold [84]. There is evidence that high bone turnover, as measured by a single or combination of BTMs, is associated with an increased fracture risk [28], but their use alone to predict fracture has yet to be established. Two clinical risk assessment algorithms have been validated for use in the UK to predict fracture incidence over ten years [85], namely FRAX and QFracture, currently they do not include all risk factors. BTMs have not been included because of their inconsistency in research studies so far. There is a need for studies confirming whether the addition of BTMs to FRAX would result in increased sensitivity and specificity.

Treatment selection and monitoring

BMD and BTMs are independent predictors of fracture risk, recent evidence does not support the use of BTMs to select the optimal treatment, but BTMs can be used to monitor treatment efficacy before BMD changes can be evaluated. Additionally early changes in BTMs can be used to measure the clinical efficacy of an anti-resorptive treatment and to reinforce patient compliance [26]. The effectiveness of osteoporotic therapy can be assessed by serial BMD measurements usually by DXA, but quantifiable changes in bone mass are small and are only apparent after twelve to twenty-four months, furthermore they only measure net balance in a very small portion of the skeleton. DXA reproducibility is also affected by machine and operator error plus patient variability (weight or degenerative changes) [86]. The minimum acceptable precision for an individual technician is 1.9% (LSC 5.3%) at the lumbar spine and 1.8% (LSC 5.0%) at the total hip. Intervals between measurements depend on the patient’s clinical status, but given the need to exceed the LSC and the relatively modest changes in BMD observed with most treatments it is generally going to be a minimum of two years before a significant change can be observed. Indeed, there are trends for a variety of reasons towards less frequent measurement of BMD to three or even five year intervals [87].

Meta-regression analysis has found no evidence of a relationship between BMD changes and reduction in risk of fractures among patients receiving calcium with or without vitamin D supplementation. Calcium and/or Vitamin D may reduce fracture rates through a mechanism independent of bone density [13]. BTMs on the other hand show a substantial and more immediate global effect, they measure both bone formation and resorption rate and can classify patients into low or high remodelling groups. Osteoporosis treatments such as bisphosphonates, strontium ranelate, denosumab, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and selective estrogen receptor moderators (SERMs) act by reducing BTM levels by forty to sixty percent within three to six months [88]. Thus one use of BTMs is to give an early indication of the success of the treatment. Baseline measurements can be repeated at the next follow up appointment say three to six months later. A significant change in BTMs as assessed by the LSC method can then be used to judge success of the treatment and will hopefully be reflected by an increase in BMD in the fullness of time. In the meantime the change in BTM supplies reassurance to the clinician and can be used to encourage the patient. Unfortunately, as BTMs are highly variable this is at best only an indication.

There has been considerable discussion about how long to treat with bisphosphonates, because these drugs accumulate in the skeleton, leading to a reservoir that continues to be released for months or years after treatment has stopped. These medications also result in a low bone turnover state over time with both resorption and formation reduced. This combined with concerns over microfracture, the possibility that they may prevent bone healing and the association with atypical femoral shaft fractures has led to the belief that it may not be wise to continue these medications indefinitely. It is generally accepted that the need to continue bisphosphonates be reviewed after 5 years and kept under review until ten years of treatment. Depending on the individual circumstances a decision to stop treatment, give a drug holiday or change treatment may be made. If a drug holiday is decided upon then BTMs could be checked at regular intervals, e.g. annually. Once these are rising again and especially on return to pre-treatment levels therapy could be restarted. Such an approach may be particularly useful with longer acting agents such as zoledronic acid [89]. The BTMs should be used in conjunction with the clinical circumstances and with repeated BMD after appropriate time intervals.

More recently anabolic agents such as PTH, e.g. teriparatide, have become available which stimulate osteoblastic activity. Markers of bone formation increase early after the initiation of teriparatide therapy with a delayed, but significant, increase in resorption markers [90]. It has been proposed clinically to measure P1NP at baseline and three months post treatment a positive response is defined as a change of greater than 10 μg/L [91].

Conclusions

During the last decade significant advances have been made in the identification and characterisation of specific BTMs for use in clinical drug trials and to aid in the therapeutic management of osteoporosis. Technological developments have greatly enhanced assay performance producing reliable, rapid, non-invasive cost effective assays with improved sensitivity and specificity. We now have a greater understanding of the need to regulate pre-analytical sample collection to minimise the effects of biological variation. The use of BTMs to select those at risk of fractures is not routinely recommended partly due to their degree of variability. However, baseline measurements of resorption markers are useful before commencement of anti-resorptive treatment e.g. bisphosphonates or denosumab and can be checked 3–6 months later to check response and adherence to treatment. Similarly a formation marker such as P1NP can be used to monitor bone forming agents such as PTH analogues. BTMs may also be useful when monitoring patients during treatment holidays and aid in the decision as to when therapy should be recommenced. The recent recommendations by the Bone Marker Standards Working Group aim to standardise research and include a marker of bone resorption (CTX) and formation (P1NP) in all future studies. They anticipate that manufacturers will calibrate their assays in future using an international reference standard to establish robust reference ranges. It is hoped that improved research in turn will lead to optimise markers for the clinical management of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. The biochemical assessment, utilizing BSAP, is now the mainstay of the diagnosis and management of metabolic bone disease in chronic kidney disease.

Abbreviations

AGEs: 

Advanced glycation end products

ALP: 

Alkaline phosphatase

BSAP: 

Bone specific alkaline phosphatase

βCTX: 

Beta-isomerised carboxy terminal telopeptide of type I collagen

BMD: 

Bone mineral density

BTM: 

Bone turnover marker

CTX: 

Carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type 1 collagen

CVA: 

Total analytical imprecision

CV1: 

Within-subject coefficient of variation

DKK-1: 

Dickkopf-related protein 1

DMP1: 

Dentin matrix protein 1

DPD: 

Deoxypyridinoline

DXA: 

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

EDTA: 

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Fz: 

Frizzled protein

GFR: 

Glomerular filtration rate

GH: 

Growth hormone

HELP: 

Type 1 collagen alpha 1 helicoidal peptide

HRT: 

Hormone replacement therapy

ICTP: 

Carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen

IDS: 

Immuno-Diagnostic Systems Ltd

IFCC: 

International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

IGF1: 

Insulin-like growth factor 1

IOF: 

International Osteoporosis Foundation

LRP: 

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein

LSC: 

Least significant change

MEPE: 

Matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein

MMP: 

Matrix metalloproteinases

MoM: 

Multiple of the median

MoMF: 

Multiple of the median formation marker

MoMR: 

Multiple of the median resorption marker

NBHA: 

National Bone Health Alliance

NTX: 

Amino-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen

OB: 

osteoblast

OC: 

osteocalcin

OCY: 

osteocyte

OPG: 

osteoprotegerin

OPN: 

osteopontin

PICP: 

Procollagen type 1 carboxy-terminal propeptide

PINP: 

Procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide

PPR: 

PTH/PTHrP receptor

PTH: 

Parathyroid hormone

PTHrP: 

Parathyroid hormone related peptide

PYD: 

pyridinoline

RA: 

Rheumatoid arthritis

RANK: 

Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B

RANKL: 

Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand

sRANKL: 

Soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand

SCL: 

sclerostin

SD: 

Standard deviation

SERMs: 

Selective estrogen receptor moderators

Sost: 

SclerOSTeosis gene

TRAP: 

Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase

TSH: 

Thyroid stimulating hormone

UK: 

United Kingdom

WHO: 

World Health Organisation

Wnt: 

Wingless and Integration-1.

Declarations

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank staff from the Biochemistry laboratory at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough who made the reference range study possible. In particular we acknowledge Cheryl Goodrum for analysing the samples.

Authors’ Affiliations

(1)
Department of Biochemistry, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
(2)
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Musculoskeletal Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
(3)
Department of Rheumatology, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK

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