Association of serum uric acid levels with osteoporosis and bone turnover markers in a Chinese population

Recent evidence shows that uric acid is protective against some neurological diseases, but can be detrimental in many metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. In this study, we examined the association between serum uric acid levels and bone metabolism in Chinese males and postmenopausal females. A total of 943 males and 4256 postmenopausal females were recruited in Shanghai. The levels of serum uric acid and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were detected along with other biochemical traits. In addition, the fat distribution was calculated through MRI and image analysis software, and bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. For postmenopausal females, the prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly lower in the hyperuricemia group compared with the normouricemic group (P=4.65E-06). In females, serum uric acid level was significantly associated with osteoporosis, with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 0.844 [0.763; 0.933] (P=0.0009) after adjusting for age, body mass index, HbA1c, lean mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat areas, albumin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH) D3], and parathyroid hormone (PTH). In females, serum uric acid level was positively correlated with the BMD of the femoral neck (beta +/- SE: 0.0463 +/- 0.0161; P=0.0042), total hip (beta +/- SE: 0.0433 +/- 0.0149; P=0.0038) and L1-4 (beta +/- SE: 0.0628 +/- 0.0165; P=0.0001) after further adjusting for age, BMI, HbA1c, lean mass, VFA, SFA, albumin, 25(OH) D3 and PTH. Regarding BTMs, serum uric acid level was negatively correlated with N-terminal procollagen of type I collagen (PINP) in females (beta +/- SE: -0.1311 +/- 0.0508; P=0.0100). In summary, our results suggest that uric acid has a protective effect on bone metabolism independent of body composition in Chinese postmenopausal females.