Background Serum osteoprotegerin(OPG)and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)have been shown to play a role inbone metabolism by degrading the bone matrix.The present study was undertaken to compare OPG and MMP-2 withbone mineral density and three markers(alkaline phosphatase(AKP),calcium and phosphorus)in postmenopausalwomen in Wuhan.Methods Serum OPG,MMP-2,and AKP of 78 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 48 to 65 were measured usingenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Bone mineral density was measured with dual energy X-rayabsorptiometry(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 osteoporoticwomen.Adjusted by age and body mass index(BMI),the correlation of MMP-2 with bone mineral density of the neck ofthe femur disappeared.In osteoporotic women,negative correlations between OPG,MMP-2 levels and serum calciumwere 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 boneturnover of postmenopausal osteoporotic women.The concentrations of serum OPG and MMP-2 increase possibly as aconcomitant event in the high bone turnover state,such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.Therefore serum OPG andMMP-2 could be used as indicators for the bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Background Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) have been shown to play a role inbone 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 for usingenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Results of 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) 2 levels and bone mineral density in osteoporotic women .Adjusted by age and body mass in dex (BMI), the correlation of MMP-2 with bone mineral density of the neck of the femur disappeared. osteoporotic women, negative correlations between OPG, MMP-2 levels and serum calcium found (r = -0.216; r = -0.269, Conclusions Significant correlations exist between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone metabolism in high boneturnover of postmenopausal patients (P <0.05), but positive correlations between OPG and serum AKP and serum phosphorus (r = 0.235; osteoporotic women. The concentrations of serum OPG and MMP-2 increase possibly as aconcomitant event in the high bone turnover state, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Wherefore serum OPG and MMP-2 could be used as indicators for the bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.