High-fat, sucrose diet impairs geometrical and mechanical properties of cortical bone in mice

Sex-Specific Effects of THRβ Signaling on Metabolic Responses to High Fat Diet in Mice

Thyroid hormone (TH) plays a crucial role in regulating the functions of both bone and adipose tissue. Given that TH exerts its cholesterol-lowering effects in hepatic tissue through the TH receptor-β (TRβ), we hypothesized that TRβ agonist therapy using MGL3196 (MGL) would be effective in treating increased adiposity and bone loss in response to a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD) in adult C57BL/6J mice. Transcriptional and serum profiling revealed that HFD-induced leptin promoted weight gain in both males and females, but MGL only suppressed leptin induction and weight gain in males. In vitro studies suggest that estrogen suppresses MGL activity in adipocytes, indicating that estrogen might interfere with MGL-TRβ function. Compared to systemic adiposity, HFD reduced bone mass in male but not female mice. Paradoxically, MGL treatment reversed macroscopic bone mineral density loss in appendicular bones, but micro-CT revealed that MGL exacerbated HFD-induced trabecular bone loss, and reduced bone strength. In studies on the mechanisms for HFD effects on bone, we found that HFD induced Rankl expression in male femurs that was blocked by MGL. By ex vivo assays, we found that RANKL indirectly represses osteoblast lineage allocation of osteoprogenitors by induction of inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and CCL2. Finally, we found that MGL functions in both systemic adiposity and bone by nongenomic TRβ signaling, as HFD-mediated phenotypes were not rescued in TRβ147F knockout mice with normal genomic but defective nongenomic TRβ signaling. Our findings demonstrate that the negative effects of HFD on body fat and bone phenotypes are impacted by MGL in a gender-specific manner.

Impact of leptin deficiency on male tibia and vertebral body 3D bone architecture independent of changes in body weight

Leptin an adipokine with potent effects on energy balance and body weight plays an important role in defining bone architecture in growing mammals. However, major changes in body weight can also influence morphology of trabecular and cortical bone. Therefore, we examined the impact of leptin deficiency on tibia and vertebral body 3D bone architecture independent of changes in body weight. Furthermore, advances in computational 3D image analysis suggest that average morphological values may mask regional specific differences in trabecular bone thickness. The study utilized leptin-deficient Ob/Ob mice (n = 8) weight-paired to C57BL/6 (C57) control mice (n = 8) which were split into either lean or obese groups for 24 ± 2 weeks. Whole tibias and L3 vertebrae were fixed before high resolution microcomputed tomography (μCT) scanning was performed. Leptin deficiency independent of body weight reduced tibia cortical bone volume, trabecular bone volume/tissue volume, number, and mineral density. Mean tibia trabecular thickness showed no significant differences between all groups; however, significant changes in trabecular thickness were found when analyzed by region. This study demonstrates that leptin deficiency significantly impacts tibia and vertebral body trabecular and cortical bone 3D architecture independent of changes in body weight.

Effects of cheerleading practice on advanced glycation end products, areal bone mineral density, and physical fitness in female adolescents

Background: Exercise has been widely reported to promote bone health, but it is unknown whether is associated with a reduction in advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). This study aimed to investigate the effects of 14 weeks of cheerleading exercise on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and AGEs.

Methods: In this study, 46 female teenagers (age, 19.52 ± 1.21 years; body mass index, 20.15 ± 2.47 kg/m²) were randomly divided into a cheerleading group (CHE, n = 21) and a control group (CON, n = 25). The CHE group was subjected to cheerleading practice twice a week for 14 weeks; the CON group maintained their daily routine. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure aBMD, and autofluorescence (AF) values were used to reflect AGEs. Physical fitness testing all-in-one machines are used to test body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle fitness and flexibility. A mixed ANOVA model was used to examine the effect of the intervention on each outcome. A multiple mediation model with covariates for physical activity and eating behaviors was performed to explore the mediators between cheerleading exercise and aBMD.

Results: After 14 weeks of cheerleading practice, 1) aBMD increased significantly in both groups with significantly higher increases in the CHE group (p < 0.05). 2) AGEs significantly decreased in the CHE group (−2.7%), but not in the CON group (p > 0.05). 3) Vertical jumps and sit-ups significantly increased in the CHE group (p < 0.05), but not in the CON group (p > 0.05). 4) ΔAF values was significantly negatively correlated with Δ aBMD (r = −0.302, p < 0.05). 5) ΔAF values mediated the effect of exercise on the aBMD (indirect effect: 0.0032, 95% CI 0.0002–0.0079).

Conclusion: Cheerleading practice improved aBMD and physical fitness and reduced AGEs accumulation in female adolescents. The effect of exercise on aBMD was partially mediated by AGEs.

Obesity and Bone Health: A Complex Relationship

Recent scientific evidence has shown an increased risk of fractures in patients with obesity, especially in those with a higher visceral adipose tissue content. This contradicts the old paradigm that obese patients were more protected than those with normal weight. Specifically, in older subjects in whom there is a redistribution of fat from subcutaneous adipose tissue to visceral adipose tissue and an infiltration of other tissues such as muscle with the consequent sarcopenia, obesity can accentuate the changes characteristic of this age group that predisposes to a greater risk of falls and fractures. Other factors that determine a greater risk in older subjects with obesity are chronic proinflammatory status, altered adipokine secretion, vitamin D deficiency, insulin resistance and reduced mobility. On the other hand, diagnostic tests may be influenced by obesity and its comorbidities as well as by body composition, and risk scales may underestimate the risk of fractures in these patients. Weight loss with physical activity programs and cessation of high-fat diets may reduce the risk. Finally, more research is needed on the efficacy of anti-osteoporotic treatments in obese patients.

Obesity influences the proteome of periodontal ligament tissues following periodontitis induction in rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Many studies have been conducted to better understand the molecular mechanism involved with periodontitis progression. There has been growing interest in the potential impact of obesity on periodontitis onset and progression, but the mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. The present study was designed to determine the impact of obesity on experimentally induced periodontitis in rats and identify novel pathways involved.

METHODS

Sixteen Holtzman rats were distributed into two groups (n = 8): ligature-induced periodontitis (P) and obesity plus ligature-induced periodontitis (OP). Obesity was induced by a high-fat diet for 70 days, whereas periodontitis was induced for 20 days, with a cotton thread placed around the upper first molars bilaterally. Alveolar bone loss was measured by microtomographic analysis and histologically by histometry on the hemimaxillae. The protein composition of the periodontal ligament was evaluated by proteomic analysis.

RESULTS

Data analysis (body weight, adipose tissue weight, and blood test) confirmed obesity induction, whereas bone loss was confirmed by micro-CT and histologic analyses. Proteome analysis from the periodontal ligament tissues (PDL) identified 819 proteins, 53 exclusive to the P group, 28 exclusive to the OP group, and 738 commonly expressed. Validation was performed by immunohistochemistry for selected proteins (spondin1, vinculin, and TRAP).

CONCLUSION

Histologically, it was found that obesity did not significantly affect bone loss resulting from periodontitis. However, the present study's findings indicated that obesity affects the proteome of PDL submitted to experimental periodontitis, allowing for identifying potential targets for personalized approaches.

Novel Preosteoclast Populations in Obesity-Associated Periodontal Disease

Although there is a clear relationship between the degree of obesity and periodontal disease incidence, the mechanisms that underpin the links between these conditions are not completely understood. Understanding that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are expanded during obesity and operate in a context-defined manner, we addressed the potential role of MDSCs to contribute toward obesity-associated periodontal disease. Flow cytometry revealed that in the spleen of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), expansion in monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) significantly increased when compared with mice fed a low-fat diet (LFD). In the osteoclast differentiation assay, M-MDSCs isolated from the bone marrow of HFD-fed mice showed a larger number and area of osteoclasts with a greater number of nuclei. In the M-MDSCs of HFD-fed mice, several osteoclast-related genes were significantly elevated when compared with LFD-fed mice according to a focused transcriptomic platform. In experimental periodontitis, the number and percentage of M-MDSCs were greater, with a significantly larger increase in HFD-fed mice versus LFD-fed mice. In the spleen, the percentage of M-MDSCs was significantly higher in HFD-fed periodontitis-induced (PI) mice than in LFD-PI mice. Alveolar bone volume fraction was significantly reduced in experimental periodontitis and was further decreased in HFD-PI mice as compared with LFD-PI mice. The inflammation score was significantly higher in HFD-PI mice versus LFD-PI mice, with a concomitant increase in TRAP staining for osteoclast number and area in HFD-PI mice over LFD-PI mice. These data support the concept that M-MDSC expansion during obesity to become osteoclasts during periodontitis is related to increased alveolar bone destruction, providing a more detailed mechanistic appreciation of the interconnection between obesity and periodontitis.

Molecular Interactions between Dietary Lipids and Bone Tissue during Aging

Age-related bone disorders such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis are a major public health problem due to the functional disability for millions of people worldwide. Furthermore, fractures are associated with a higher degree of morbidity and mortality in the long term, which generates greater financial and health costs. As the world population becomes older, the incidence of this type of disease increases and this effect seems notably greater in those countries that present a more westernized lifestyle. Thus, increased efforts are directed toward reducing risks that need to focus not only on the prevention of bone diseases, but also on the treatment of persons already afflicted. Evidence is accumulating that dietary lipids play an important role in bone health which results relevant to develop effective interventions for prevent bone diseases or alterations, especially in the elderly segment of the population. This review focuses on evidence about the effects of dietary lipids on bone health and describes possible mechanisms to explain how lipids act on bone metabolism during aging. Little work, however, has been accomplished in humans, so this is a challenge for future research.

The mechanical and biochemical properties of tail tendon in a rat model of obesity: Effect of moderate exercise and prebiotic fibre supplementation

The worldwide trajectory of increasing obesity rates is a major health problem precipitating a rise in the prevalence of a variety of co-morbidities and chronic diseases. Tendinopathy, in weight and non-weight bearing tendons, in individuals with overweight or obesity has been linked to metabolic dysfunction resulting from obesity. Exercise and dietary fibre supplementation (DFS) are common countermeasures to combat obesity and therefore it seems reasonable to assume that they might protect tendons from structural and mechanical damage in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a DIO, DIO combined with moderate exercise, DIO combined with DFS (prebiotic oligofructose), and DIO combined with moderate exercise and DFS on the mechanical and biochemical properties of the rat tail tendon. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet were randomized into a sedentary, a moderate exercise, a DFS, or a moderate exercise combined with DFS group for 12 weeks. Additionally, six lean age-matched animals were included as a sedentary control group. DIO in combination with exercise alone and with exercise and DFS reduced the Young's Modulus but not the collagen content of the rat tail tendons compared to lean control animals. However, no differences in the mechanical and biochemical properties of the rat tail tendon were detected between the DIO and the lean control group, suggesting that DIO by itself did not impact the tail tendon. It seems that longer DIO exposure periods may be needed to develop overt differences in our DIO model.

Dietary n-3 PUFA content as a modulator of the femur properties in growing pigs

The relationships between both dietary and empty body fatty acid composition and the morphometry, densitometry, geometry and biomechanical properties of the femur of growing pigs were analysed. A total of thirty-two pigs aged 115 d were divided into four groups (n 8 per group). The pigs were fed either a control diet (group C) or a diet supplemented with linseed oil (rich in α-linolenic acid (C18 : 3n-3), group L), fish oil (rich in EPA (C20 : 5n-3) and DHA (C22 : 6n-3), group F) and beef tallow (rich in SFA, group T). The diets differed in n-3 PUFA contents (0·63-18·52 g/kg) and n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios (0·91-14·51). At 165 d of age, the pigs were slaughtered and the fatty acids in the empty body were determined. Moreover, the left femur was dissected. The cortical wall thickness, cross-sectional area, cortical index, bone mineral content, bone mineral density, maximum elastic strength and maximum strength were lower (P<0·05) in the femurs of pigs from groups C and T than in those from groups F and L. Significant positive correlations were found between the densitometry, geometry and biomechanical properties of the femur and both dietary and empty body n-3 PUFA content, whereas significant negative correlations were observed between the same properties and both dietary and empty body n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio. The results of the present study suggest that in growing pigs α-linolenic acid has a similar positive effect on bone health to that of EPA and DHA.

Alternative healthy eating index and risk of hip fracture: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A high adherence to healthy dietary patterns, such as an alternative healthy eating index (AHEI), has been suggested to have protective effects on bone mineral density and to decrease the incidence of fractures, although the evidence for this is not clear. We conducted a dose-response meta-analysis of available observational studies aiming to assess the association between adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, as assessed by the AHEI score, and risk of hip fracture in the general population.

METHODS

Studies published up to March 2018 were identified on the basis of a literature search in PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases using Mesh and non-Mesh relevant keywords. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), the linear and nonlinear relationships were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

In the meta-analysis of five effect sizes, as obtained from four studies (265 771 participants with 6938 cases of incident hip fracture), we found that a higher AHEI score was associated with a 31% reduced risk of hip fracture (pooled RR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.52-0.91) in high versus low intake meta-analysis. In addition, there were inverse relationships between AHEI score and risk of hip fracture, such that a five-unit increase in the score of AHEI was associated with a reduction in the risk of hip fracture in linear (pooled RR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.95-0.99) and nonlinear (Pnonlinearity < 0.001) models, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to the AHEI (as an indicator of diet quality) was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture.

Metabolic Syndrome and Bone: Pharmacologically Induced Diabetes has Deleterious Effect on Bone in Growing Obese Rats

Metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis share similar risk factors. Also, patients with diabetes have a higher risk of osteoporosis and fracture. Liver manifestations, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), of metabolic syndrome are further aggravated in diabetics and often lead to liver failure. Our objective was to create a rat model of human metabolic syndrome and determine the long-term impact of early-onset T1D on bone structure and strength in obese growing rats. Male rats were given either standard chow and RO water (Controls) or a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet and sugar water containing 55% fructose and 45% glucose (HFD). A third group of rats received the HFD diet and a single dose of streptozotocin to induce type 1 diabetes (HFD/Sz). Body weight and glucose tolerance tests were conducted several times during the course of the study. Serum chemistry, liver enzymes, and biomarkers of bone metabolism were evaluated at 10 and 28 weeks. Shear wave elastography and histology were used to assess liver fibrosis. Cancellous bone structure and cortical bone geometry were evaluated by mCT and strength by the 3-point bending method. Body mass and fat accumulation was significantly higher in HFD and HFD/Sz rats compared to Controls. Rats in both the HFD and HFD/Sz groups developed NASH, although the change was more severe in diabetic rats. Although both groups of obese rats had larger bones, their cancellous structure and cortical thickness were reduced, resulting in diminished strength that was further aggravated by diabetes. The HFD and HFD/Sz rats recapitulate MeSy in humans with liver pathology consistent with NASH. Our data provide strong indication that obesity accompanied by type 1 diabetes significantly aggravates comorbidities of MeSy, including the development of osteopenia and weaker bones. The juvenile rat skeleton seems to be more vulnerable to damage imposed by obesity and diabetes and may offer a model to inform the underlying pathology associated with the unusually high fracture rates in obese adults with diabetes.

Not Salt But Sugar As Aetiological In Osteoporosis: A Review

Salt has notoriously been blamed for causing an increase in the urinary excretion of calcium, and thus is a considered a risk factor for osteoporosis. However, the increase in the urinary excretion of calcium with higher sodium intakes can be offset by the increased intestinal absorption of dietary calcium. Thus, the overall calcium balance does not appear to be reduced with a higher sodium intake. However, the other ubiquitous white crystal, sugar, may lead to osteoporosis by increasing inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, increased renal acid load, reduced calcium intake, and increased urinary calcium excretion. Sugar, not salt, is the more likely white crystal to be a risk factor for osteoporosis when overconsumed.

High Fructose and High Fat Exert Different Effects on Changes in Trabecular Bone Micro-structure

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of high-fat diet (HFD) and high-fructose diet (HFrD) on bone metabolism at different time points, dynamically observe the bone histology and femur trabecular micro-architecture, and analyze the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Sixty -Five male 6- to 7-week-old C57BL/6J mice were given HFD, HFrD, or standard diets (SD) for 8, 16, and 24 weeks. Micro-computed tomography (μCT) and bone histology were used to measure bone mass and trabecular micro-structure. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of genes related to bone and lipid metabolisms.

RESULTS

Compared to SD mice, femoral trabecular bone mass was significantly increased in both HFrD mice and HFD mice at 8 weeks, it continued to be higher in HFrD mice at 16 and 24 weeks with the highest level at 16 weeks, but it was significantly decreased in HFD mice at 16 and 24 weeks. HFD mice showed more epididymal fat accumulation than HFrD mice. mRNA expression of Runx2 was up-regulated at 8 and 16 weeks, but down-regulated at 24 weeks similarly in both HFrD mice and HFD mice. mRNA expression of MMP9 and CTSK was up-regulated at 8 and 16 weeks in HFD mice, but down-regulated at 24 weeks in both HFrD mice and HFD mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that the HFrD and HFD had different modulating effects on bone mass. After short-term feeding, both HFrD and HFD showed positive effects on bone mass; however, after long-term feeding, bone mass was decreased in HFD mice. In contrast, the bone mass was first increased and then decreased in the HFrD mice. On the basis of these findings, we speculated that chronic consumption of fat and fructose would exert detrimental effects on bone mass which might a combination action of body mass, fat mass, and bone formation/bone resorption along with proinflammatory factor and bone marrow environment.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes, not a diet high in fat, sucrose, and cholesterol, negatively impacts bone outcomes in the hyperphagic Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty rat

BACKGROUND

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) increase fracture risk; however, the association between obesity/T2D may be confounded by consumption of a diet high in fat, sucrose, and cholesterol (HFSC).

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to determine the main and interactive effects of obesity/T2D and a HFSC diet on bone outcomes using hyperphagic Otuska Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and normophagic Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) controls.

METHODS

At 8weeks of age, male OLETF and LETO rats were randomized to either a control (CON, 10 en% from fat as soybean oil) or HFSC (45 en% from fat as soybean oil/lard, 17 en% sucrose, and 1wt%) diet, resulting in four treatment groups. At 32weeks, total body bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) and body composition were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, followed by euthanasia and collection of blood and tibiae. Bone turnover markers and sclerostin were measured using ELISA. Trabecular microarchitecture of the proximal tibia and geometry of the tibia mid-diaphysis were measured using microcomputed tomography; whole-bone and tissue-level biomechanical properties were evaluated using torsional loading of the tibia. Two-factor ANOVA was used to determine main and interactive effects of diet (CON vs. HFSC) and obesity/T2D (OLETF vs. LETO) on bone outcomes.

RESULTS

Hyperphagic OLEFT rats had greater final body mass, body fat, and fasting glucose than normophagic LETO, with no effect of diet. Total body BMC and serum markers of bone formation were decreased, and bone resorption and sclerostin were increased in obese/T2D OLETF rats. Trabecular bone volume and microarchitecture were adversely affected by obesity/T2D, but not diet. Whole-bone and tissue-level biomechanical properties of the tibia were not affected by obesity/T2D; the HFSC diet improved biomechanical properties only in LETO rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity/T2D, regardless of diet, negatively impacted the balance between bone formation and resorption and trabecular bone volume and microarchitecture in OLETF rats.

A Memory of Early Life Physical Activity Is Retained in Bone Marrow of Male Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

Studies have reported opposing effects of high-fat (HF) diet and mechanical stimulation on lineage commitment of the bone marrow stem cells. Yet, how bone marrow modulates its gene expression in response to the combined effects of mechanical loading and a HF diet has not been addressed. We investigated whether early-life (before onset of sexual maturity at 6 weeks of age) voluntary physical activity can modulate the effects of a HF diet on male Sprague Dawley rats. In the bone marrow, early-life HF diet resulted in adipocyte hypertrophy and a pro-inflammatory and pro-adipogenic gene expression profile. The bone marrow of the rats that undertook wheel exercise while on a HF diet retained a memory of the early-life exercise. This memory lasted at least 60 days after the cessation of the voluntary exercise. Our results are consistent with the marrow adipose tissue having a unique response to HF feeding in the presence or absence of exercise.

Fat, Sugar, and Bone Health: A Complex Relationship

With people aging, osteoporosis is expected to increase notably. Nutritional status is a relatively easily-modified risk factor, associated with many chronic diseases, and is involved in obesity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease (CHD), along with osteoporosis. Nutrients, such as fats, sugars, and proteins, play a primary function in bone metabolism and maintaining bone health. In Western nations, diets are generally high in saturated fats, however, currently, the nutritional patterns dominating in China continue to be high in carbohydrates from starch, cereals, and sugars. Moreover, high fat or high sugar (fructose, glucose, or sucrose) impart a significant impact on bone structural integrity. Due to diet being modifiable, demonstrating the effects of nutrition on bone health can provide an approach for osteoporosis prevention. Most researchers have reported that a high-fat diet consumption is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and, as bone strength diminishes, adverse microstructure changes occur in the cancellous bone compartment, which is involved with lipid metabolism modulation disorder and the alteration of the bone marrow environment, along with an increased inflammatory environment. Some studies, however, demonstrated that a high-fat diet contributes to achieving peak bone mass, along with microstructure, at a younger age. Contrary to these results, others have shown that a high-fructose diet consumption leads to stronger bones with a superior microarchitecture than those with the intake of a high-glucose diet and, at the same time, research indicated that a high-fat diet usually deteriorates cancellous bone parameters, and that the incorporation of fructose into a high-fat diet did not aggravate bone mass loss. High-fat/high-sucrose diets have shown both beneficial and detrimental influences on bone metabolism. Combined, these studies showed that nutrition exerts different effects on bone health. Thus, a better understanding of the regulation between dietary nutrition and bone health might provide a basis for the development of strategies to improve bone health by modifying nutritional components.

Diets High in Fat or Fructose Differentially Modulate Bone Health and Lipid Metabolism

Diets high in fat or carbohydrates can lead to obesity and diabetes, two interrelated conditions that have been associated with osteoporosis. Here, we contrasted the effects of a high fat (HF) versus fructose-enriched carbohydrate (CH) versus regular chow (SC) diet on bone morphology, fat content and metabolic balance in BALB/cByJ mice over a 15-week period. For 13 weeks, there were no differences in body mass between groups with small differences in the last 2 weeks. Even without the potentially confounding factor of altered body mass and levels of load bearing, HF consumption was detrimental to bone in the distal femur with lower trabecular bone volume fraction and thinner cortices than controls. These differences in bone were accompanied by twofold greater abdominal fat content and fourfold greater plasma leptin concentrations. High-fat feeding caused a decrease in de-novo lipid synthesis in the liver, kidney, white adipose and brown adipose tissue. In contrast to HF, the fructose diet did not significantly impact bone quantity or architecture. Fructose consumption also did not significantly alter leptin levels or de-novo lipid synthesis but reduced epididymal adipose tissue and increased brown adipose tissue. Cortical stiffness was lower in the CH than in HF mice. There were no differences in glucose or insulin levels between groups. Together, a diet high in fat had a negative influence on bone structure, adipose tissue deposition and lipid synthesis, changes that were largely avoided with a fructose-enriched diet.

High fat diet enriched with saturated, but not monounsaturated fatty acids adversely affects femur, and both diets increase calcium absorption in older female mice

Diet induced obesity has been shown to reduce bone mineral density (BMD) and Ca absorption. However, previous experiments have not examined the effect of high fat diet (HFD) in the absence of obesity or addressed the type of dietary fatty acids. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of different types of high fat feeding, without obesity, on fractional calcium absorption (FCA) and bone health. It was hypothesized that dietary fat would increase FCA and reduce BMD. Mature 8-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were fed one of three diets: a HFD (45% fat) enriched either with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) or with saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and a normal fat diet (NFD; 10% fat). Food consumption was controlled to achieve a similar body weight gain in all groups. After 8wk, total body bone mineral content and BMD as well as femur total and cortical volumetric BMD were lower in SFA compared with NFD groups (P<.05). In contrast, femoral trabecular bone was not affected by the SFAs, whereas MUFAs increased trabecular volume fraction and thickness. The rise over time in FCA was greater in mice fed HFD than NFD and final FCA was higher with HFD (P<.05). Intestinal calbindin-D9k gene and hepatic cytochrome P450 2r1 protein levels were higher with the MUFA than the NFD diet (P<.05). In conclusion, HFDs elevated FCA overtime; however, an adverse effect of HFD on bone was only observed in the SFA group, while MUFAs show neutral or beneficial effects.

A High-Saturated-Fat, High-Sucrose Diet Aggravates Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Female Rats

BACKGROUND

Estrogen deficiency in women and high-saturated fat, high-sucrose (HFS) diets have both been recognized as risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Studies on the combined actions of these 2 detrimental factors on the bone in females are limited.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the interactive actions of estrogen deficiency and an HFS diet on bone properties and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Six-month-old Sprague Dawley sham or ovariectomized (OVX) rats were pair fed the same amount of either a low-saturated-fat, low-sucrose (LFS) diet (13% fat calories; 15% sucrose calories) or an HFS diet (42% fat calories; 30% sucrose calories) for 12 wk. Blood, liver, and bone were collected for correspondent parameters measurement.

RESULTS

Ovariectomy decreased bone mineral density in the tibia head (TH) by 62% and the femoral end (FE) by 49% (P < 0.0001). The HFS diet aggravated bone loss in OVX rats by an additional 41% in the TH and 37% in the FE (P < 0.05). Bone loss in the HFS-OVX rats was accompanied by increased urinary deoxypyridinoline concentrations by 28% (P < 0.05). The HFS diet induced cathepsin K by 145% but reduced osteoprotegerin mRNA expression at the FE of the HFS-sham rats by 71% (P < 0.05). Ovariectomy significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ mRNA expression by 136% and 170% at the FE of the LFS- and HFS-OVX rats, respectively (P < 0.05). The HFS diet aggravated ovariectomy-induced lipid deposition and oxidative stress (OS) in rat livers (P < 0.05). Trabecular bone mineral density at the FE was negatively correlated with rat liver malondialdehyde concentrations (R(2) = 0.39; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The detrimental actions of the HFS diet and ovariectomy on bone properties in rats occurred mainly in cancellous bones and were characterized by a high degree of bone resorption and alterations in OS.

BMI and BMD: The Potential Interplay between Obesity and Bone Fragility

Recent evidence demonstrating an increased fracture risk among obese individuals suggests that adipose tissue may negatively impact bone health, challenging the traditional paradigm of fat mass playing a protective role towards bone health. White adipose tissue, far from being a mere energy depot, is a dynamic tissue actively implicated in metabolic reactions, and in fact secretes several hormones called adipokines and inflammatory factors that may in turn promote bone resorption. More specifically, Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) may potentially prove detrimental. It is widely acknowledged that obesity is positively associated to many chronic disorders such as metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes, conditions that could themselves affect bone health. Although aging is largely known to decrease bone strength, little is yet known on the mechanisms via which obesity and its comorbidities may contribute to such damage. Given the exponentially growing obesity rate in recent years and the increased life expectancy of western countries it appears of utmost importance to timely focus on this topic.

Fructose consumption does not worsen bone deficits resulting from high-fat feeding in young male rats

Dietary-induced obesity (DIO) resulting from high-fat (HF) or high-sugar diets produces a host of deleterious metabolic consequences including adverse bone development. We compared the effects of feeding standard rodent chow (Control), a 30% moderately HF (starch-based/sugar-free) diet, or a combined 30%/40% HF/high-fructose (HF/F) diet for 12weeks on cancellous/cortical bone development in male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8weeks. Both HF feeding regimens reduced the lean/fat mass ratio, elevated circulating leptin, and reduced serum total antioxidant capacity (tAOC) when compared with Controls. Distal femur cancellous bone mineral density (BMD) was 23-34% lower in both HF groups (p<0.001) and was characterized by lower cancellous bone volume (BV/TV, p<0.01), lower trabecular number (Tb.N, p<0.001), and increased trabecular separation versus Controls (p<0.001). Cancellous BMD, BV/TV, and Tb.N were negatively associated with leptin and positively associated with tAOC at the distal femur. Similar cancellous bone deficits were observed at the proximal tibia, along with increased bone marrow adipocyte density (p<0.05), which was negatively associated with BV/TV and Tb.N. HF/F animals also exhibited lower osteoblast surface and reduced circulating osteocalcin (p<0.05). Cortical thickness (p<0.01) and tissue mineral density (p<0.05) were higher in both HF-fed groups versus Controls, while whole bone biomechanical characteristics were not different among groups. These results demonstrate that "westernized" HF diets worsen cancellous, but not cortical, bone parameters in skeletally-immature male rats and that fructose incorporation into HF diets does not exacerbate bone loss. In addition, they suggest that leptin and/or oxidative stress may influence DIO-induced alterations in adolescent bone development.

Fat and Sucrose Intake Induces Obesity-Related Bone Metabolism Disturbances: Kinetic and Reversibility Studies in Growing and Adult Rats

Metabolic and bone effects were investigated in growing (G, n = 45) and mature (M, n = 45) rats fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFS) isocaloric to the chow diet of controls (C, n = 30 per group). At week 19, a subset of 15 rats in each group (HFS or C, at both ages) was analyzed. Then one-half of the remaining 30 HFS rats in each groups continued HFS and one-half were shifted to C until week 27. Although no serum or bone marrow inflammation was seen, HFS increased visceral fat, serum leptin and insulin at week 19 and induced further alterations in lipid profile, serum adiponectin, and TGFβ1, TIMP1, MMP2, and MMP9, suggesting a prediabetic phenotype and cardiovascular dysfunction at week 27 more pronounced in M than G. These events were associated with dramatic reduction of osteoclastic and osteoid surfaces with accelerated mineralizing surfaces in both HFS age groups. Mineral metabolism and its major regulators were disturbed, leading to hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. These changes were associated with bone alterations in the weight-bearing tibia, not in the non-weight-bearing vertebra. Indeed in fat rats, tibia trabecular bone accrual increased in G whereas loss of trabecular bone in M was alleviated. At diaphysis cortical porosity increased in G and even more in M at week 27. After the diet switch, metabolic and bone cellular disturbances fully reversed in G, but not in M. Trabecular benefit of the obese was preserved in both age groups and in M the age-related bone loss was even lighter after the diet switch than in prolonged HFS. At the diaphysis, cortical porosity normalized in G but not in M. Hypocalcemia in G and M was irreversible. Thus, the mild metabolic syndrome induced by isocaloric HFS is able to alter bone cellular activities and mineral metabolism, reinforce trabecular bone, and affect cortical bone porosity in an irreversible manner in older rats.

Obesity-related changes in bone structural and material properties in hyperphagic OLETF rats and protection by voluntary wheel running

PURPOSE

To examine how the development of obesity and the associated insulin resistance affect bone structural and material properties, and bone formation and resorption markers in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat model.

METHODS

This was a 36-week study of sedentary, hyperphagic, male OLETF rats (OLETF-SED), exercise-treated OLETF rats (OLETF-EX) and sedentary non-hyperphagic controls (LETO-SED) with data collection at 13, 20, and 40 weeks of age (n = 5-8 animals per group per timepoint).

RESULTS

Body mass and fat (%) were significantly greater in OLETF-SED versus controls. OLETF-SED were insulin resistant at 13 and 20 weeks, with overt diabetes by 40 weeks. At 13weeks, OLETF-SED had lower total body BMC and BMD and serum P1NP compared with LETO-SED. Differences in total body BMC and BMD between OLETF-SED and LETO-SED persisted at 20 weeks, with reductions in total and cortical BMD of the tibia. OLETF-SED also had lesser femur diameter, cross-sectional area, polar moment of area, and torque at fracture than LETO-SED. By 40 weeks, OLETF-SED had elevated bone resorption and reduced intrinsic bone strength. OLETF-EX did not show the excessive weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance or diabetes observed in OLETF-SED. OLETF-EX had greater BMD than OLETF-SED, and structural and material properties of the femur were significantly increased in OLETF-EX relative to OLETF-SED and LETO-SED.

CONCLUSIONS

The negative skeletal effects of excessive adiposity and insulin resistance were evident early in the progressive obesity with lasting negative impacts on intrinsic and extrinsic bone strength. Exercise protected against obesity-associated skeletal changes with marked benefits on the biomechanical properties of bone.

High-fat diet causes bone loss in young mice by promoting osteoclastogenesis through alteration of the bone marrow environment

Obesity is a severe health problem in children, afflicting several organ systems including bone. However, the role of obesity on bone homeostasis and bone cell function in children has not been studied in detail. Here we used young mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to model childhood obesity and investigate the effect of HFD on the phenotype of cells within the bone marrow environment. Five-week-old male mice were fed a HFD for 3, 6, and 12 weeks. Decreased bone volume was detected after 3 weeks of HFD treatment. After 6 and 12 weeks, HFD-exposed mice had less bone mass and increased osteoclast numbers. Bone marrow cells, but not spleen cells, from HFD-fed mice had increased osteoclast precursor frequency, elevated osteoclast formation, and bone resorption activity, as well as increased expression of osteoclastogenic regulators including RANKL, TNF, and PPAR-gamma. Bone formation rate and osteoblast and adipocyte numbers were also increased in HFD-fed mice. Isolated bone marrow cells also had a corresponding elevation in the expression of positive regulators of osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. Our findings indicate that in juvenile mice, HFD-induced bone loss is mainly due to increased osteoclast bone resorption by affecting the bone marrow microenvironment. Thus, targeting osteoclast formation may present a new therapeutic approach for bone complications in obese children.

Adherence to a vegetable-fruit-soy dietary pattern or the Alternative Healthy Eating Index is associated with lower hip fracture risk among Singapore Chinese

Data on overall dietary pattern and osteoporotic fracture risk from population-based cohorts are limited, especially from Asian populations. This study examined the relation between overall diet and hip fracture risk by using principal components analysis (PCA) to identify dietary pattern specific to the study population and by using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) 2010 to assess dietary quality. The Singapore Chinese Health Study is a prospective population-based cohort that enrolled 63,257 Chinese men and women (including both pre- and postmenopausal women) aged 45-74 y between 1993 and 1998 in Singapore. Habitual diet was assessed by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Two dietary patterns, the vegetable-fruit-soy (VFS) pattern and the meat-dim-sum (MDS) pattern, were derived by PCA. Overall dietary quality was assessed according to the AHEI 2010, which was defined a priori for chronic disease prevention. A Cox regression model was applied with adjustment for potential confounders. In both genders, higher scores for the VFS pattern and the AHEI 2010 were associated with lower risk of hip fracture in a dose-dependent manner (all P-trend ≤ 0.008). Compared with the lowest quintile, participants in the highest quintile had a 34% reduction in risk (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.78) for the VFS pattern and a 32% reduction in risk (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.79) for the AHEI 2010. The MDS pattern score was not associated with hip fracture risk. An Asian diet rich in plant-based foods, namely vegetables, fruit, and legumes such as soy, may reduce the risk of hip fracture.

Bone quality and strength are greater in growing male rats fed fructose compared with glucose

Optimization of peak bone mass during adolescence is important for osteoporosis prevention. Studies in rodents and humans have demonstrated the harmful effects of sugar intake on bone health. With the high levels of sucrose in the diets of adolescents, it is necessary to understand the influence of glucose and fructose on growing bones. This study compared the effects of dietary glucose and fructose on bone formation, microarchitecture, and strength. Because of the different metabolic effects of glucose and fructose, we hypothesized that their individual effects on bone would be different. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats (age, 60 days) were randomly assigned to high-fructose (n = 9; 40% fructose, 10% glucose) or high-glucose diet (n = 9; 50% glucose) for 12 weeks. Bone measurements included histology and histomorphometry of trabecular bone in the distal femur and a 3-point bending test of the whole tibia. Whole liver mass and postprandial serum glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were used to assess differences in energy metabolism between the diets. There were no differences in food intake, body weight, or visceral adiposity between groups, but fructose consumption led to heavier livers (P = .001) and elevated serum triglycerides (P = .00). The distal femurs of fructose-fed rats had greater bone volume (bone volume/total volume; P = .03), lower bone surface (bone surface/bone volume; P = .02), and thicker trabeculae (trabecular thickness; P = .01). The tibias of the fructose-fed rats also withstood a greater maximum flexure load (P = .032). These results indicate that consumption of the high-fructose diet resulted in stronger bones with enhanced microarchitecture than consumption of the high-glucose diet.

Green tea polyphenols improve bone microarchitecture in high-fat-diet-induced obese female rats through suppressing bone formation and erosion

This study evaluates the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on bone microarchitecture in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese female rats. Thirty-six 3-month-old female rats were fed either a control diet or a HFD for 4 months. Animals in the control group continued on the control diet for another 4 months. Animals in the HFD group were divided into two groups, with 0.5 g/100 mL GTP (the HFD+GTP group) or without GTP (the HFD group) in drinking water, in addition to the HFD for another 4 months. Compared to the control group, the HFD group increased bone formation and erosion rates at the tibia, decreased trabecular volume and thickness, but had no impact on bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular number (Tb.N), and separation. Compared to the control group, the HFD+GTP group demonstrates a greater Tb.N at the proximal tibia, and a greater trabecular thickness at the femur and the lumbar vertebrae, but a smaller trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and mineralizing surface at the proximal tibia, and a reduced endocortical mineral apposition rate (MAR) at the tibia shaft. Relative to the HFD group, the HFD+GTP group demonstrates (1) a higher BMD at the femur, a greater trabecular volume, thickness, and number at the proximal tibia, a larger cortical area and thickness at the tibial shaft, and a greater trabecular volume and thickness at the femur and the lumbar vertebrae, (2) a smaller Tb.Sp, MAR, bone formation rate, and eroded surface at the tibia. We concluded that GTP supplementation in drinking water improves bone microarchitecture in the HFD-induced obese female rats, possibly through suppressing bone turnover, resulting in a larger net bone volume.

Green tea polyphenols benefits body composition and improves bone quality in long-term high-fat diet-induced obese rats

This study investigates the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on body composition and bone properties along with mechanisms in obese female rats. Thirty-six 3-month-old Sprague Dawley female rats were fed either a low-fat (LF) or a high-fat (HF) diet for 4 months. Animals in the LF diet group continued on an LF diet for additional 4 months, whereas those in the HF diet group were divided into 2 groups: with GTP (0.5%) or without in drinking water, in addition to an HF diet for another 4 months. Body composition, femur bone mass and strength, serum endocrine and proinflammatory cytokines, and liver glutathione peroxidase (GPX) protein expression were determined. We hypothesized that supplementation of GTP in drinking water would benefit body composition, enhance bone quality, and suppress obesity-related endocrines in HF diet-induced obese female rats and that such changes are related to an elevation of antioxidant capacity and a reduction of proinflammatory cytokine production. After 8 months, compared with the LF diet, the HF diet increased percentage of fat mass and serum insulin-like growth factor I and leptin levels; reduced percentage of fat-free mass, bone strength, and GPX protein expression; but had no effect on bone mineral density and serum adiponectin levels in the rats. Green tea polyphenol supplementation increased percentage of fat-free mass, bone mineral density and strength, and GPX protein expression and decreased percentage of fat mass, serum insulin-like growth factor I, leptin, adiponectin, and proinflammatory cytokines in the obese rats. This study shows that GTP supplementation benefited body composition and bone properties in obese rats possibly through enhancing antioxidant capacity and suppressing inflammation.

Effect of catch-up growth by various dietary patterns and resveratrol intervention on bone status

Catch-up growth (CUG) after food restriction can increase the risks for insulin resistance-related diseases, and to our knowledge, no previous studies have addressed how bone is influenced by CUG when refeeding diet content differs. The objective of this study was to investigate the bone status resulting from CUG induced by varying refeeding dietary patterns, and to assess the potential influencing factors and the effect of resveratrol on bone status during CUG. Experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal chow (NC) group; CUG group (CUG, containing two subgroups, respectively, refeeding with normal chow or high-fat diet); high-fat diet (HF) group; and resveratrol intervention groups (CUGE and HFE). Bone parameters were detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α, body weight and food intake were also recorded. Our results showed that food restriction induced a significant decrease in bone parameters. Eight-week CUG by normal chow had a greater degree of improvement in bone mineral density than high-fat diet, and even returned to normal level similar to NC. Bone parameters were elevated in varying degrees in the HF group compared with the NC group. In the resveratrol intervention groups, bone parameters significantly increased. Furthermore, bone parameters were inversely related with serum TNF- α concentrations, but showed positive correlation with body weight. In conclusion, the study shows that CUG can partially reverse the deleterious effects of caloric restriction on bone health, especially in the refeeding with normal chow group. Moreover, resveratrol has a protective effect on bone status during the period of CUG. Serum TNF- α levels and body weight also seem to play an important role in regulating bone parameters.

Leptin Deficiency and Its Effects on Tibial and Vertebral Bone Mechanical Properties in Mature Genetically Lean and Obese JCR:LA-Corpulent Rats

Leptin signaling deficient rodents have emerged as models of obesity/insulin resistance syndrome. Altered leptin signaling, however, can affect axial and appendicular bone geometrical properties differently, and, thus, we hypothesized that leptin-deficiency would differentially influence mechanical properties of vertebrae and tibiae compared to lean rats. Mature (9 mo) leptin receptor deficient obese (cp/cp; n = 8) and lean (+/?; n = 7) male JCR:LA-corpulent rats were used to test that hypothesis. Tibiae and the sixth lumbar vertebrae (L(6)) were scanned with micro-CT and were broken in three point-bending (tibiae) or axial loading (L(6)). Supporting the hypothesis, vertebrae and tibiae were differentially affected by leptin signaling deficiency. Tibiae, but not vertebrae, were significantly shorter in obese rats and achieved a significantly greater load (>18%), displacement (>15%), and stress (>18%) at the proportional limit, relative to the lean rats. Conversely, L(6) in obese rats had significantly reduced displacement (>25%) and strain (>32%) at proportional limit, relative to the lean rats. Those combined results suggest that the etiology and duration of obesity may be important determinants of bone mechanical properties, and axial and appendicular bones may be affected differently.

Bezafibrate enhances proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells via AMPK and eNOS activation

AIM

To investigate the effects of bezafibrate on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, and to determine the signaling pathway underlying the effects.

METHODS

MC3T3-E1 cells, a mouse osteoblastic cell line, were used. Cell viability and proliferation were examined using MTT assay and colorimetric BrdU incorporation assay, respectively. NO production was evaluated using the Griess reagent. The mRNA expression of ALP, collagen I, osteocalcin, BMP-2, and Runx-2 was measured using real-time PCR. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of AMPK and eNOS proteins.

RESULTS

Bezafibrate increased the viability and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Bezafibrate (100 μmol/L) significantly enhanced osteoblastic mineralization and expression of the differentiation markers ALP, collagen I and osteocalcin. Bezafibrate (100 μmol/L) increased phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS, which led to an increase of NO production by 4.08-fold, and upregulating BMP-2 and Runx-2 mRNA expression. These effects could be blocked by AMPK inhibitor compound C (5 μmol/L), or the PPARβ inhibitor GSK0660 (0.5 μmol/L), but not by the PPARα inhibitor MK886 (10 μmol/L). Furthermore, GSK0660, compound C, or N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME, 1 mmol/L) could reverse the stimulatory effects of bezafibrate (100 μmol/L) on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, whereas MK886 only inhibited bezafibrate-induced osteoblast proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Bezafibrate stimulates proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, mainly via a PPARβ-dependent mechanism. The drug might be beneficial for osteoporosis by promoting bone formation.