Relationship between bone metabolism and effects of lifestyles after gastrectomy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of bone metabolism impairment after a gastrectomy, as well as the effects of dietary life and physical activity on bone density, in order to obtain basic information on lifestyles that prevent osteoporosis. The study subjects were 27 male patients who had been diagnosed as having gastric cancer at a university hospital and had received a gastrectomy. All subjects gave their informed consent. The level of the bone metabolism impairment was examined by bone cell density measurement, ultrasound densitometer and by the measurements of bone metabolism parameters, i.e., BAP, DPD, NTx, corrected Ca. Physical activity was measured by the number of steps, and dietary life was investigated using a questionnaire. The SOS value, which is an index to the bone metabolism impairment, decreased 3 weeks after the gastrectomy. Although the SOS value recovered once, it decreased after 6 months again. Afterwards, it recovered to the preoperative level in 12 months. The levels of BAP, which are the osteogenesis markers, significantly decreased 3 weeks after the gastrectomy and increased three months later. DPD level, which is a bone resorption marker, increased significantly. The effect of physical activity and dietary life on the bone density was not recognized. Though the bone metabolism impairment appeared 3 weeks after the gastrectomy, the bone formation process after bone resorption was affected by individual differences. Consequently, it was impossible to clarify the factors of lifestyles which affect bone metabolism impairment.