EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM LOW-DOSE HEPARIN ADMINISTRATION ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF BONE TURNOVER

Heparin therapy may cause osteoporosis. The effects of short-term low- dose heparin are not known. We have studied the effects of short-term heparin administration, twice daily 5000 IU s.c., for 10 days on the b iochemical parameters of bone turnover in six healthy male volunteers. No effects were observed on the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline a nd calcium. Serum levels of cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), a new marker of bone resorption, did not ch ange significantly. A slight but significant decrease in serum alkalin e phosphatase was observed. TmP/GFR increased significantly during hep arin administration. In all volunteers a uniform increase in serum tra nsaminases appeared which completely reversed after discontinuation of heparin administration. We conclude that short-term low-dose heparin administration does not change biochemical parameters of bone resorpti on, but has a small significant suppressing effect on serum alkaline p hosphatase levels. Heparin administration resulted in a significant bu t transient increase of serum transaminase levels.