The utility of dried blood spot measurement of bone turnover markers in biological anthropology. Issue 11 (10th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Devlin, Maureen J.; Eick, Geeta N.; Snodgrass, J. Josh
• Other Names: Snodgrass J. Josh guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: American journal of human biology. Volume 34:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-10
• Subjects: Human biology -- Periodicals; Physical anthropology -- Periodicals; Biologie humaine -- Périodiques; Anthropologie physique -- Périodiques; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-0533

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Bone is a dynamic organ under continual turnover influenced by life history stage, energy dynamics, diet, climate, and disease. Bone turnover data have enormous potential in biological anthropology for testing evolutionary and biocultural hypotheses, yet few studies have integrated these biomarkers. In the present article we systematically review the current availability, future viability, and applicability of measuring bone turnover markers (BTMs) in dried blood spot (DBS) samples obtained from finger prick whole blood. Methods: Our review considers clinical and public health relevance, biomarker stability in DBS, assay availability, and cost. We consider biomarkers of bone formation such as osteocalcin (bone matrix protein), PINP (N‐terminal propeptide of type I collagen), and alkaline phosphatase (osteoblast enzyme), as well as biomarkers of bone resorption such as CTX (marker of collagen breakdown) and TRACP5b (tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b; osteoclast enzyme). Results: Two BTMs have been validated for DBS: osteocalcin (formation) and TRACP5b (resorption). Prime candidates for future development are CTX and PINP, the formation and resorption markers used for clinical monitoring of response to osteoporosis treatment. Conclusion: BTMs are a field‐friendly technique for longitudinal monitoring of skeletal biology during growth, reproduction and aging, combining minimized risk to study participants with maximized ease of sample storage and transport. This combination allows new insights into the effects of energy availability, disease, and physical activity level on bone, and questions about bone gain and loss across life history and in response to environmental factors; these issues are important in human biology, paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, and forensic anthropology.