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Oestrogen effects on calcium membrane transport: A new view of the inter-relationship between oestrogen deficiency and age-related osteoporosis

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Conclusion

The importance and indeed the presence of effects of oestrogen on calcium transport in the bone, bowel and kidney have been in dispute for many years. There is certainly no doubt that bone density and whole-body bone balance in oestrogen-deficient women can be improved with dietary calcium supplementation. The reason why such a high calcium intake is required at the menopause is due to a reduction in the ability of the bowel to absorb calcium and a reduction in the ability of the kidney to reabsorb calcium from the tubule ultrafiltrate. Recent data support the concept that the reduction in calcium absorption in the bowel and reabsorption in the kidney is oestrogen-dependent. More attention should therefore be directed to correcting these defects in calcium homeostasis. Many studies attest to the effectiveness of calcium supplementation in reducing bone loss. There are now a few studies suggesting that the magnitude of the effect may be large enough to prevent fracture [41–43]. Thus, the role of oestrogen in regulating calcium transport in the bowel and kidney appears to be an important part of the pathogenesis of both postmenopausal and age-related osteoporosis. Recently we provided evidence for a specific defect in circulating calcitriol levels in osteoporotic fracture patients compared with age-matched controls [44]. Thus, in addition to an absorptive defect due to oestrogen deficiency, there may be an added defect in calcium absorption in fracture patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia

    R. L. Prince & I. Dick

  2. Department Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia

    R. L. Prince

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Prince, R.L., Dick, I. Oestrogen effects on calcium membrane transport: A new view of the inter-relationship between oestrogen deficiency and age-related osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 7 (Suppl 3), 150–154 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03194362

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