Bone health and risk factors of cardiovascular disease--a cross-sectional study in healthy young adults

Metabolomic patterns, redox-related genes and metals, and bone fragility endpoints in the Hortega Study

BACKGROUND

The potential joint influence of metabolites on bone fragility has been rarely evaluated. We assessed the association of plasma metabolic patterns with bone fragility endpoints (primarily, incident osteoporosis-related bone fractures, and, secondarily, bone mineral density BMD) in the Hortega Study participants. Redox balance plays a key role in bone metabolism. We also assessed differential associations in participant subgroups by redox-related metal exposure levels and candidate genetic variants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 467 participants older than 50 years from the Hortega Study, a representative sample from a region in Spain, we estimated metabolic principal components (mPC) for 54 plasma metabolites from NMR-spectrometry. Metals biomarkers were measured in plasma by AAS and in urine by HPLC-ICPMS. Redox-related SNPs (N = 341) were measured by oligo-ligation assay.

RESULTS

The prospective association with incident bone fractures was inverse for mPC1 (non-essential and essential amino acids, including branched-chain, and bacterial co-metabolites, including isobutyrate, trimethylamines and phenylpropionate, versus fatty acids and VLDL) and mPC4 (HDL), but positive for mPC2 (essential amino acids, including aromatic, and bacterial co-metabolites, including isopropanol and methanol). Findings from BMD models were consistent. Participants with decreased selenium and increased antimony, arsenic and, suggestively, cadmium exposures showed higher mPC2-associated bone fractures risk. Genetic variants annotated to 19 genes, with the strongest evidence for NCF4, NOX4 and XDH, showed differential metabolic-related bone fractures risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic patterns reflecting amino acids, microbiota co-metabolism and lipid metabolism were associated with bone fragility endpoints. Carriers of redox-related variants may benefit from metabolic interventions to prevent the consequences of bone fragility depending on their antimony, arsenic, selenium, and, possibly, cadmium, exposure levels.

Dietary-Lifestyle Patterns Associated with Bone Turnover Markers, and Bone Mineral Density in Adult Male Distance Amateur Runners—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Excessive mileage can be detrimental to bone mineral density among long-distance runners. The negative effects of mileage could be alleviated by appropriate nutrition. The purpose of this study was to analyse the dietary-lifestyle patterns in relation to bone mineral density and bone turnover markers among amateur marathoners. Methods: A total of 53 amateur male distance runners were divided into two clusters by k-means cluster analysis. Bone mineral density was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Blood was drawn to analyse bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide (cTX) and bone formation marker amino-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP). Food frequency intake and lifestyle information were measured by multicomponent questionnaire KomPAN^®. Yearly average mileage per month was taken from each participant. Results: There were two distinguished clusters: Less-healthy-more-active-low-Z-score (LessHA) (n = 33) and More-healthy-less-active-high-Z-score (MoreHLA) (n = 20). LessHA had a lower frequency intake of pro-healthy food groups, a lower number of meals during a typical day, and a higher mileage training than the group of athletes who followed the MoreHLA. Athletes following the LessHA pattern also had a lower Z-score in the lumbar spine and femoral bone and a lower PINP. Conclusion: The current study suggests that pro-healthy dietary patterns and lower mileage may favour higher bone mineral density in male amateur marathoners.

Serum levels of bone formation and resorption markers in relation to vitamin D status in professional gymnastics and physically active men during upper and lower body high-intensity exercise

Purpose/introduction

To compare serum levels of bone turnover markers in athletes and non-athletes, and to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and exercise-induced changes in biomarker levels.

Methods

Sixteen elite male artistic gymnasts (EG; 21.4 ± 0.8 years-old) and 16 physically active men (the control group, PAM; 20.9 ± 1.2 years-old) performed lower and upper body 30-s Wingate anaerobic tests (LBWT and UBWT, respectively). For biomarker analysis, blood samples were collected before, and 5 and 30 min after exercise. Samples for vitamin D levels were collected before exercise. N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) was analysed as a marker of bone formation. C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) was analysed as a marker of bone resorption.

Results

UBWT fitness readings were better in the EG group than in the PAM group, with no difference in LBWT readings between the groups. UBWT mean power was 8.8% higher in subjects with 25(OH)D₃ levels over 22.50 ng/ml and in those with 24,25(OH)₂D₃ levels over 1.27 ng/ml. Serum CTX levels increased after both tests in the PAM group, with no change in the EG group. PINP levels did not change in either group; however, in PAM subjects with 25(OH)D₃ levels above the median, they were higher than those in EG subjects.

Conclusion

Vitamin D metabolites affect the anaerobic performance and bone turnover markers at rest and after exercise. Further, adaptation to physical activity modulates the effect of anaerobic exercise on bone metabolism markers.

Serum and Urinary Osteocalcin in Healthy 7- to 19-Year-Old Finnish Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents have high bone turnover marker (BTM) levels due to high growth velocity and rapid bone turnover. Pediatric normative values for BTMs reflecting bone formation and resorption are vital for timely assessment of healthy bone turnover, investigating skeletal diseases, or monitoring treatment outcomes. Optimally, clinically feasible measurement protocols for BTMs would be validated and measurable in both urine and serum. We aimed to (a) establish sex- and age-specific reference intervals for urinary and serum total and carboxylated osteocalcin (OC) in 7- to 19-year-old healthy Finnish children and adolescents (n = 172), (b) validate these against standardized serum and urinary BTMs, and (c) assess the impact of anthropometry, pubertal status, and body composition on the OC values. All OC values in addition to other BTMs increased with puberty and correlated with pubertal growth, which occurred and declined earlier in girls than in boys. The mean serum total and carboxylated OC and urinary OC values and percentiles for sex-specific age categories and pubertal stages were established. Correlation between serum and urinary OC was weak, especially in younger boys, but improved with increasing age. The independent determinants for OC varied, the urinary OC being the most robust while age, height, weight, and plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) influenced serum total and carboxylated OC values. Body composition parameters had no influence on any of the OC values. In children and adolescents, circulating and urinary OC reflect more accurately growth status than bone mineral density (BMD) or body composition. Thus, validity of OC, similar to other BTMs, as a single marker of bone turnover, remains limited. Yet, serum and urinary OC similarly to other BTMs provide a valuable supplementary tool when assessing longitudinal changes in bone health with repeat measurements, in combination with other clinically relevant parameters.

Correlation between bone turnover and metabolic markers with age and gender: a cross-sectional study of hospital information system data

BACKGROUND

Bone turnover and metabolic indicators are related to age and gender. Age and gender should be matched in subjects in disease control research of bone turnover and metabolism, but strict matching of gender and age increases the difficulty and cost of the research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to solve it is necessary to strictly match age and gender in clinical research in bone metabolism.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from the data were extracted from the HIS of ZhuJiang Hospital. Data relating to seven bone turnover and metabolic indicators from 1036 patients between January 2018 and October 2019 were analyzed.

RESULTS

P1NP, β-CTx and 25(OH)D were significant different in individuals younger than 20 years of age. ALP was significantly higher in those under 20 years of age and lower at age 20-39 compared with other age groups. The concentrations of Ca and P were different among the groups aged 0-19, 20-39, and 40-59 years of age groups but exhibited no difference above 60 years of age. PTH expression was not dependent on age. P1NP, β-CTx and PTH concentrations were not significantly different between the genders within the same age group. ALP was significantly different between genders within the age range 20-59 years. Ca and 25(OH)D were significantly different between the genders for those older than 60. Serum P was significantly different in the two genders for those aged 40-79. Patients received both alfacalcidol and calcium treatment differently from the others in P1NP, β-CTx, Serum Ca, P and ALP.

CONCLUSION

P1NP and β-CTx were highly correlated with age. If these two indictors require analysis in a case control study, the patients and controls should be strictly matched by age under 20 years. The demarcation point for ALP was 40 years of age. Ca and P were strongly recommended strict matching according to age in disease research. The difference in P1NP, β-CTx, 25(OH)D and ALP between genders depends on age differences. Medication history should be considered in bone turnover and metabolic clinical research.

The Impact of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Bone Remodeling Expressed by the P1NP/βCTX Ratio: a Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery seems to decrease bone mineral density and increase the risk of fatigue fractures. P1NP (bone formation) and βCTX (bone resorption) were recently validated as reference bone turnover markers (BTM).

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in bone remodeling in severely obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) by using a new composite biomarker, the P1NP/βCTX ratio.

METHODS

We prospectively collected blood samples preoperatively, at 1 month and at 1 year from 114 consecutive RYGB patients from 12/2012 to 04/2014. Repeated measures ANOVA and multiple regression were used for data analysis. Cumulative incidence of fractures was assessed in 06/2018.

RESULTS

The P1NP/βCTX ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from baseline to 1 month and 1 year (180 ± 6.6, 110 ± 4.1, and 132 ± 5.4). The 1-year P1NP/βCTX ratio did not correlate with BMI or ΔBMI, but inversely correlated with age (r = - 0.23, P = 0.014) and with hsCRP (r = - 0.26, P = 0.009), even after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and lifestyle, and linearly correlated with albumin (r = 0.2, P = 0.037). At baseline, none of these correlations were detectable. Serum for all time-points was available from > 94% of the patients. At a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 8 patients (7.3%) had a bone fracture, all of them traumatic.

CONCLUSION

Following RYGB, bone remodeling increases, with a shift toward degradation. This effect seems to be weight-loss independent and shows a correlation with age, with the level of systemic inflammation, and with nutritional state. The risk of fractures should be assessed systematically in bariatric patients and measures of prevention should be improved accordingly.

Osteocalcin‑GPRC6A: An update of its clinical and biological multi‑organic interactions (Review)

Osteocalcin is no longer regarded as a molecule exclusive to bone remodeling and osteogenesis, but as a hormone with manifold functions. The discovery of the interaction of osteocalcin with the G protein‑coupled receptor family C group 6‑member A (GPRC6A) receptor has accompanied the characterization of several roles that this peptide serves in body regulation and homeostasis. These roles include the modulation of memory in the brain, fertility in the testis, fat accumulation in the liver, incretins release in the intestine and adaptation to exercise in muscle, in addition to the well‑known effects on β‑cell proliferation, insulin release and adiponectin secretion. The aim of the present review was to provide a practical update of the multi‑organ effects that osteocalcin exerts through its interaction with GPRC6A and the clinical implications of this.

Nontraditional Cardiovascular Biomarkers and Risk Factors: Rationale and Future Perspectives

The primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease depends on the capacity to identify subjects at higher risk long before the occurrence of CV clinical manifestations. Traditional risk factors do not cover fully prediction of individual risk. Moreover, there is an area of gray for patients at intermediate CV risk, which offers wide margins of improvement. These observations highlight the need for new additive tools for a more accurate risk stratification. An increasing number of candidate biomarkers have been identified to predict CV risk and events, although they generally give only a moderate increase when added to currently available predictive scores. The approach utilizing a relative small number of biomarkers in multiple combinations, but only weakly related to each other or unrelated, thus belonging to independent-pathways, and so able to catch the multidimensional characteristic of atherosclerosis, appears promising. We discuss vitamin D and bone turnover biomarkers, hepatitis C virus, and psycho-emotional factors that may reflect alternative pathways over those generally considered for atherosclerosis (e.g., aspects directly related to inflammation and thrombosis). These new biomarkers could facilitate a more accurate assessment of CV risk stratification if incorporated in the current risk assessment algorithms.

Waist circumference is an effect modifier of the association between bone mineral density and glucose metabolism

OBJECTIVE

The role of bone markers on insulin resistance (IR) remains controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and glucose metabolism and investigate if visceral hyperadiposity, evaluated by waist circumference (WC), is an effect modifier of this association.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis with 468 young adults from the fourth follow-up of the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto prospective birth cohort, Brazil. BMD, total osteocalcin (OC), fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were assessed. IR, sensitivity (S) and secretion (β) were estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) indexes. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to estimate the association between BMD and glucose metabolism. Beta coefficient, R2 and p-values were provided. WC was tested as an effect modifier and OC as a confounder. The covariates were selected based on Direct Acyclic Graph.

RESULTS

Significant interaction between BMD (femoral neck and proximal femur areas) and WC on glucose metabolism was observed in the adjusted models. Subjects with increased WC presented a positive association between BMD and log HOMA1-IR while an inverse association was found in those with normal WC (femoral neck R2 = 0.17, p = 0.036; proximal femur R2 = 0.16, p = 0.086). BMD was negatively associated with log HOMA2-S in individuals with increased WC and positively in those with normal WC (femoral neck R2 = 0.16, p = 0.042; proximal femur R2 = 0.15, p = 0.097). No significant associations between BMD, log HOMA2-β and OC and glucose metabolism markers were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

BMD was associated with glucose metabolism, independently of OC, and WC modifies this association.

Osteocalcin as a potential risk biomarker for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

Clear evidence supports a role for circulating and locally-produced osteocalcin (OC) in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular (CV) lesions and CV risk, also in combination with metabolic changes, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Reduced plasma OC levels are associated with greater incidence of pathological CV changes, like arterial and valvular calcification, coronary and carotid atherosclerosis and increased carotid intima-media thickness. The actual relationship between OC levels and incidence of major CV events is, however, still unclear. Moreover, reduced circulating OC levels have been mostly associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome or T2DM, indicating relevant OC actions on pancreatic β-cells and insulin secretion and activity. Based on these observations, this review article will attempt to summarize the current evidence on the potential usefulness of circulating OC as a biomarker for CV and metabolic risk, also evaluating the currently open issues in this area of research.

Suitable bone markers assessing bone status in patients with both coronary artery disease and diabetes

Background

We aimed to investigate the bone turnover markers in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in comparison with control subjects without CAD and T2DM.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 45 subjects undergoing elective heart surgery; either for coronary artery bypass grafting or for valve surgery. According to angiographic results, participants were grouped in two groups with CAD (n = 33) and without CAD (n = 12).

The serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), procollagen I aminoterminal propeptide (P1NP) and carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX), as bone turnover markers, as well as serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D3, PTH, and common metabolic factors were analyzed in all participants.

Results

Serum levels of bone markers did not differ in patients with CAD compared to non-CAD subjects. Regarding metabolic factors, serum levels of FBG had invert correlation with OC in CAD patients (p = 0.004). The data of subgroup analysis showed serum levels of OC and CTX were statistically significant lower in CAD-DM than CAD-non DM (p < 0.05). There were not any significant differences in the P1NP levels between groups.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that CTX and OC would be used as suitable bone markers in CAD patients with T2DM. However, further clinical studies need to establish the role of these markers in CAD patients with diabetes.