The Effect of Long-Term Exercise on the Production of Osteoclastogenic and Antiosteoclastogenic Cytokines by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and on Serum Markers of Bone Metabolism

Table 1

Risk factors for osteoporosis.

	Men ( = 18)	Women ( = 25)
Age, mean (SD), y	48.1 (8.0)	49.7 (7.2)
Estradiol deficiency	4 (28%)	15 (60%)
Inactivity	11 (61%)	16 (64%)
Smoking	1 (6%)	4 (16%)
Alcohol	9 (50%)	9 (36%)

Of the women, 68% were amenorrheic (44%, postmenopausal; 24%, posthysterectomy and oophorectomy). Of the amenorrheic women, 71% were taking estrogen replacement medication.
Eight percent of women had five risk factors, 12% had four risk factors, 24% had three risk factors, 36% had two risk factors, 16% had one risk factor, and 4% had no risk factors for osteoporosis. Fifty percent of men had one risk factor and 50% had two risk factors for osteoporosis. Twenty-four percent of women and 28% of men were obese (BMI > 30 ). None of the subjects were hyperthyroid or taking glucocorticoids.
Normal values: men, 15–60 pg/mL; premenopausal women, 15–400 pg/mL (follicular phase, 15–120 pg/mL; ovulation, 200–400 pg/mL; luteal phase, 175–325 pg/mL); postmenopausal women, 0–40 pg/mL. No regular physical activity for ≥1 year. Five or more alcoholic beverages/week. Enrollment 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were normal (≥20 ng/mL) in all subjects.