Beta 2-microglobulin does not behave as a biological marker of bone remodelling in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Parathormone has been shown to increase the secretion and production of lys osomal enzymes including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. All our 68 pa tients with proven primary hyperparathyroidism had signs of hyperparathyroi d bone disease. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and bone alkaline phosp hatase activities are raised as a result of enhanced bone remodelling. Seru m beta 2-microglobulin concentration in patients with primary hyperparathyr oidism was normal 1.6 (1.4-1.8) mg/l versus 1.8 (1.7-2.2) mg/l in 51 contro l subjects. Ln hyperparathyroid patients, serum beta 2-microglobulin concen tration does not correlate with plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity which is known to be a sensitive biological marker of bone remodel ling (r = 0.088). Our findings indicate that serum beta 2-microglobulin doe s not behave as a biological marker of remodelling in patients with enhance d remodelling in primary hyperparathyroidism. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.