Biomaterial Database

Effect of menopause and aging on serum total and ionized calcium and protein concentrations. 1989

L J Sokoll, and B Dawson-Hughes

Calcium and Bone Metabolism Laboratory, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

The effects of menopause and aging on serum total and ionized calcium concentrations were evaluated in 402 healthy women (aged 18-71 years), of whom 83 were premenopausal and 319 postmenopausal. Serum albumin and globulin concentrations and serum pH were also measured in most of these women. Serum total but not ionized calcium concentration increased significantly at menopause. This increase in the protein-bound component of total calcium in postmenopausal women was associated with increases in mean serum globulin concentration (P = 0.03) and in serum pH (P = 0.03). Serum total calcium declined with age within the pre- and postmenopausal groups (r = -0.225, P = 0.04 and r = -0.121, P = 0.03, respectively). This was associated with an age-related decrease in serum albumin concentration in all women (r = -0.47, P less than 0.0001). Neither serum globulin concentration or pH varied with age. Thus, menopause and aging affect serum total, but not ionized calcium concentration.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008593	Menopause	The last menstrual period. Permanent cessation of menses (MENSTRUATION) is usually defined after 6 to 12 months of AMENORRHEA in a woman over 45 years of age. In the United States, menopause generally occurs in women between 48 and 55 years of age.	Change of Life, Female
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D001798	Blood Proteins	Proteins that are present in blood serum, including SERUM ALBUMIN; BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS; and many other types of proteins.	Blood Protein,Plasma Protein,Plasma Proteins,Serum Protein,Serum Proteins,Protein, Blood,Protein, Plasma,Protein, Serum,Proteins, Blood,Proteins, Plasma,Proteins, Serum
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002135	Calcium-Binding Proteins	Proteins to which calcium ions are bound. They can act as transport proteins, regulator proteins, or activator proteins. They typically contain EF HAND MOTIFS.	Calcium Binding Protein,Calcium-Binding Protein,Calcium Binding Proteins,Binding Protein, Calcium,Binding Proteins, Calcium,Protein, Calcium Binding,Protein, Calcium-Binding
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults