| Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of depression on primary osteoporosis in elder males.Methods Sixty-eight senile male patients with primary osteoporosis ( osteoporosis group ) and 66 senile male patients without primary osteoporosis ( control group) , who were hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics in our hospital, were selected.All the patients were assessed using Geriatric Depression Scale ( GDS) .The bone mineral density ( BMD) was detected using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.The plasma levels of cortisol ( Cor) , adrenocorticotropic hormone ( ACTH) , and testosterone ( T) were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA) method.The serum levels of interleukin -6 (IL-6), norepinephrine (NA), and 5-serotonin (5-HT) were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) method.The depression scores between two groups were compared.The correlation between BMD and depression scores was analyzed.The plasma levels of IL-6, Cor, ACTH, T, NA, and 5-HT were calculated and the potential mechanism of depression on primary osteoporosis in senile males was explored.Results The depression scores in osteoporosis group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01), but no difference in age and body mass index (BMI) was observed.BMD was negatively correlated with depression scores (r=-0.562, P=0.02). The plasma levels of IL-6, Cor, ACTH, and NA in osteoporosis group were higher than those in the control group, but the plasma levels of testosterone ( P) and 5-HT were lower than those in the control group.Conclusion Depression is an important risk factor for primary osteoporosis in the elder males. |