Low fatness, reduced fat intake and adequate plasmatic concentrations of LDL-cholesterol are associated with high bone mineral density in women: a cross-sectional study with control group

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral parameters are associated with high bone mineral density (BMD), such as overweight, black background, intense physical activity (PA), greater calcium intake and some medications. The objectives are to evaluate the prevalence and the main aspects associated with high BMD in healthy women.MethodsAfter reviewing the database of approximately 21,500 BMD scans performed in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil, from June 2005 to October 2010, high BMD (over 1400 g/cm2 at lumbar spine and/or above 1200 g/cm2 at femoral neck) was found in 421 exams. Exclusion criteria were age below 30 or above 60 years, black ethnicity, pregnant or obese women, disease and/or medications known to interfere with bone metabolism. A total of 40 women with high BMD were included and matched with 40 healthy women with normal BMD, paired to weight, age, skin color and menopausal status. Medical history, food intake and PA were assessed through validated questionnaires. Body composition was evaluated through a GE-Lunar DPX MD + bone densitometer. Radiography of the thoracic and lumbar spine was carried out to exclude degenerative alterations or fractures. Biochemical parameters included both lipid and hormonal profiles, along with mineral and bone metabolism. Statistical analysis included parametric and nonparametric tests and linear regression models. P < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe mean age was 50.9 (8.3) years. There was no significant difference between groups in relation to PA, smoking, intake of calcium and vitamin D, as well as laboratory tests, except serum C-telopeptide of type I collagen (s-CTX), which was lower in the high BMD group (p = 0.04). In the final model of multivariate regression, a lower fat intake and body fatness as well a better profile of LDL-cholesterol predicted almost 35% of high BMD in women. (adjusted R2 = 0.347; p < 0.001). In addition, greater amounts of lean mass and higher IGF-1 serum concentrations played a protective role, regardless age and weight.ConclusionOur results demonstrate the potential deleterious effect of lipid metabolism-related components, including fat intake and body fatness and worse lipid profile, on bone mass and metabolism in healthy women.

Association between nutritional screening via the Controlling Nutritional Status index and bone mineral density in chronic liver disease of various etiologies

“…Sarkis et al . found that subjects with a greater BMD presented a more favorable LDL profile, although there were no significant differences between them and women with a BMD considered normal for their age (femoral neck t‐score, 0.9 vs −0.2, P < 0.001; LDL cholesterol, 114 vs 124 mg/dL, P = 0.18) . Tarakida et al .…”

Bone mineral density, adiposity, and cognitive functions

“…Animal models support the association between osteoporosis and atherosclerosis (Parhami et al, 2000 ; Price et al, 2001 ). Observational studies have shown that higher atherogenic lipid profile and lipoproteins are inversely associated with bone density (Dimic et al, 2012 ; Sarkis et al, 2012 ) but the exact mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear (Farhat and Cauley, 2008 ).…”

The relationship between the Spine Deformity Index, biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and vascular calcifications: results from the Epidemiological VERtebral FRACtures iTalian Study (EVERFRACT) in dialysis patients

“…MGP is a well-recognized potent inhibitor of arterial calcifications [38] and LDL-cholesterol is still considered one of the major determinants of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, some studies showed an association between LDL-cholesterol with BMD [39] and VFs [40] were associated with lower progression of aortic calcifications and increased survival in elderly men [41]. Taken together, these data strengthen the concept that bone fragility and vascular calcification may share some common pathways and that the presence of one of these two should prompt the clinicians to look for the other.…”