摘要Background Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) have been shown to play a role in bone metabolism by degrading the bone matrix. The present study was undertaken to compare OPG and MMP-2 with bone mineral density and three markers (alkaline phosphatase (AKP), calcium and phosphorus) in postmenopausal women in Wuhan.Methods Serum OPG, MMP-2, and AKP of 78 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 48 to 65 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bone mineral density was measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and serum calcium and phosphorus were measured by auto biochemical analysis.Results Serum OPG and MMP-2 concentrations were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis ((127.6±6.3) ng/L; (1388±121) μg/L)) than those in age-matched normal controls ((72.3±2.4) ng/L; (1126±141) μg/L,P＜0.01). Negative relationships were found between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone mineral density in osteoporotic women. Adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI), the correlation of MMP-2 with bone mineral density of the neck of the femur disappeared. In osteoporotic women, negative correlations between OPG, MMP-2 levels and serum calcium were found (r=-0.216; r=-0.269, P＜0.05), but positive correlations between OPG and serum AKP, serum phosphorus (r=0.235; r=0.124, P＜0.05).Conclusions Significant correlations exist between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone metabolism in high bone turnover of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. The concentrations of serum OPG and MMP-2 increase possibly as a concomitant event in the high bone turnover state, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore serum OPG and MMP-2 could be used as indicators for the bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.