# Protein compound macrophage migration inhibitory factor for diagnosing postmenopausal osteoporosis

## TL;DR

This study explores macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

## Contribution

The study identifies MIF as a novel potential biomarker for diagnosing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

## Key findings

- Plasma MIF levels were significantly higher in PMOP patients compared to those with normal bone mass.
- MIF concentrations were negatively correlated with bone mineral density and positively correlated with bone turnover markers.
- MIF was identified as an independent risk factor for PMOP with substantial diagnostic value.

## Abstract

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a bone metabolic disorder characterized by reduced bone mass and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, and its early diagnosis is essential for improving clinical outcomes. However, reliable biochemical markers for the early detection of PMOP remain unavailable in current practice. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammation-related protein with oxidoreductase-like activity that participates in bone remodeling and metabolic regulation Mainly by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Nevertheless, its potential utility as a diagnostic compound in PMOP has not been fully clarified. The objective of this study was to investigate the plasma expression pattern of MIF in PMOP patients and explore its potential as an early diagnostic biomarker. Plasma MIF levels were significantly elevated in PMOP patients compared with individuals with normal bone mass (1.72 ng/mL vs. 0.58 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Moreover, MIF concentrations were negatively correlated with bone mineral density at the femoral neck (r = −0.548) and lumbar spine (r = −0.513), and positively correlated with bone turnover markers β-CTX (r = 0.417) and PINP (r = 0.350), suggesting that elevated MIF may reflect enhanced bone resorption and disruption of bone metabolic homeostasis. Further multivariate analyses identified MIF as an independent risk factor for PMOP and demonstrated its substantial diagnostic value. In conclusion, MIF,an inflammation-associated protein with oxidoreductase-like catalytic properties,may serve as a biochemical indicator of abnormal bone metabolism, providing a potential molecular basis for the early diagnosis of PMOP.