BETA(2)-MICROGLOBULIN IN PAGETS BONE-DISEASE

On the basis of earlier findings of increased serum beta(2)-microglobu lin concentration in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, we decide d to study serum beta(2)-microglobulin concentration in other bone dis eases. In 28 patients with untreated Paget's bone disease, serum beta( 2)-microglobulin concentration was norma1(1.49 +/- 0.41 mg/ liter vers us 1.36 +/- 0.21 mg/liter in 42 control subjects, P = ns), a finding t hat contradicts reports in the literature. We found that serum beta(2) -microglobulin concentration was related negatively and significantly (r(2) = -0.154, P = 0.0354) with serum total alkaline phosphatase conc entration, but not with serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase conc entration (p = ns). Urinary elimination of beta(2)-microgrobulin was l ower in the patients with Paget's disease than in the controls (34 +/- 28 versus 120 +/- 21 mg/liter, P < 0.001). These findings suggest tha t beta(2)-microgrobulin behaves similarly to osteocalcin (BGP) in Page t's bone disease and that its concentration remains within normal leve ls perhaps because of the rate of reuptake of beta(2)-microglobulin in bone neoformation.