Objective
To investigate the relationship between the plasma leptin concentration and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis to improve the understanding of the role of leptin in controlling bone mass.

Method
Fifty four postmenopausal women (ages 64⁑8.59 years, body weights 58.14⁑6.92 kg) with osteoporosis were included. The biochemical markers of bone metabolism and serum leptin concentration were measured using the radioimmunoassay. Bone mineral densities were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. And we investigate the correlation between serum leptin concentration and the biochemical markers of bone metabolism or bone mineral density.

Results
The bone mineral densities were 0.639⁑0.130 g/cm² in mid-lumbar area, 0.684⁑0.098 g/cm² in femoral neck and 0.491⁑0.117 g/cm² in Ward's triangle. The mean value of serum osteocalcin was 26.84⁑16.73 ng/ml, the mean value of urine deoxypyridinoline was 11.84⁑6.08 nmol/mmol Cr, and the plasma concentration of leptin was 11.51⁑8.64 ng/ml. There was no correlation between plasma leptin concentrations and the markers of bone metabolism or bone mineral density.

Conclusion
We could not confirm the significant correlation between the circulating leptin concentration and the bone mass in postmenopausal women. Our data suggest circulating plasma leptin does not have a significant direct influence on bone metabolism and bone mass in postmenopausal women.