Extreme obesity reduces bone mineral density: complementary evidence from mice and women

Objective: To evaluate the effects of body adiposity on bone mineral density in the presence and absence of ovarian hormones in female mice and postmenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: We assessed percentage body fat, serum leptin levels, and bone mineral density in ovariectomized and non‐ovariectomized C57BL/6 female mice that had been fed various calorically dense diets to induce body weight profiles ranging from lean to very obese. Additionally, we assessed percentage body fat and whole body bone mineral density in 37 overweight and extremely obese postmenopausal women from the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences study. Results: In mice, higher levels of body adiposity (>40% body fat) were associated with lower bone mineral density in ovariectomized C57BL/6 female mice. A similar trend was observed in a small sample of postmenopausal women. Discussion: The complementary studies in mice and women suggest that extreme obesity in postmenopausal women may be associated with reduced bone mineral density. Thus, extreme obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m²) may increase the risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Given the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and in many other countries, and, in particular, the rising number of extremely obese adult women, increased attention should be drawn to the significant and interrelated public health issues of obesity and osteoporosis.     

Ten months of exercise improves general and visceral adiposity, bone, and fitness in black girls

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 10‐month after‐school physical activity (PA) program on body composition and cardiovascular (CV) fitness in young black girls. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 8‐ to 12‐year‐olds recruited from elementary schools. Body composition was measured using anthropometrics {waist circumference and BMI, DXA [percentage body fat (%BF)] and bone mineral density (BMD)}, and magnetic resonance imaging [visceral adipose tissue (VAT)]. CV fitness was measured using a graded treadmill test. The intervention consisted of 30 minutes homework/healthy snack time and 80 minutes PA (i.e., 25 minutes skills instruction, 35 minutes aerobic PA, and 20 minutes strengthening/stretching). Analyses were adjusted for age, baseline value of the dependent variable, and sexual maturation (pediatrician observation). Results: Mean attendance was 54%. Compared with the control group, the intervention group had a relative decrease in %BF (p < 0.0001), BMI (p < 0.01), and VAT (p < 0.01) and a relative increase in BMD (p < 0.0001) and CV fitness (p < 0.05). Higher attendance was associated with greater increases in BMD (p < 0.05) and greater decreases in %BF (p < 0.01) and BMI (p < 0.05). Higher heart rate during PA was associated with greater increases in BMD (p < 0.05) and greater decreases in %BF (p < 0.005). Discussion: An after‐school PA program can lead to beneficial changes in body composition and CV fitness in young black girls. It is noteworthy that the control and intervention groups differed in change in VAT but not waist circumference. This suggests that changes in central adiposity can occur in response to PA, even in young children, but that waist circumference may not be a good indicator of central adiposity.     

雌激素受体β基因CA重复序列多态性与绝经后骨质疏松症的关联性研究

绝经后骨质疏松症(PMO)是一种多基因调控的遗传性疾病。雌激素受体β亚型基因是骨质疏松症的重要侯选基因。此文采用病例对照设计(78名股骨颈PMO病人和122名对照以及108名腰椎PMO病人和92名对照)研究中国人(汉族)雌激素受体β基因(ESR2)第5内含子CA重复序列多态性与PMO的相关性。以CA重复序列平均数22次为界将重复序列基因分为短基因(<22)和长基因(≥22),分别以S和L表示。股骨颈及腰椎(L2-4)部位,病例组中LL基因型和L等位基因者频率显著高于对照组(P<0.01),SL、LL及SL LL基因型者较SS基因型者患PMO风险显著增高(P<0.05);调整年龄、绝经时间、绝经年龄及体质指数后,Logistic回归分析显示ESR2(CA)n多态性仍然与股骨颈(OR4.923,95%CI1.986～12.203,P=0.001)及L2-4(OR2.267,95%CI1.121～4.598,P=0.023)PMO显著相关。结果显示:ESR2基因CA重复序列多态性与股骨颈和L2-4部位PMO独立关联,L等位基因显性影响PMO的发病风险。     

海藻酸钙对骨质疏松症大鼠骨骼肌SDF-1含量和骨密度的影响

摘要 目的：探讨海藻酸钙对骨质疏松症大鼠骨骼肌基质细胞衍生因子-1（Stromal Cell-derived Factor-1,SDF-1）含量和骨密度的影响。方法：骨质疏松症大鼠（n=48）随机平分为三组-模型组、尼尔雌醇组与海藻酸钙组,在建模后1周后三组分别给予双蒸水、0.1 mg/100 g尼尔雌醇与37.5 mg/mL海藻酸钙/枸杞多糖凝胶微球水溶液灌胃治疗,1 次/d,检测大鼠骨骼肌SDF-1含量和骨密度变化情况。结果：（1）尼尔雌醇组与海藻酸钙组给药第4周与第8周的血清钙离子含量高于模型组（P<0.05）,磷离子含量低于模型组（P<0.05）,尼尔雌醇组与海藻酸钙组对比差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;（2）尼尔雌醇组与海藻酸钙组给药第4周与第8周的骨骼肌SDF-1含量低于模型组（P<0.05）,海藻酸钙组低于尼尔雌醇组（P<0.05）;（3）尼尔雌醇组与海藻酸钙组给药第4周与第8周的腰椎和股骨骨密度高于模型组（P<0.05）,海藻酸钙组低于尼尔雌醇组（P<0.05）;（4）尼尔雌醇组与海藻酸钙组给药第4周与第8周的股骨最大载荷、最大应力高于模型组(P<0.05),海藻酸钙组高于尼尔雌醇组（P<0.05）;（5）海藻酸钙组造血细胞数量较多,骨皮质结构较完整,致密均匀粗壮,小梁数目明显增多,骨髓腔变小。结论：海藻酸钙在骨质疏松症大鼠的应用能抑制骨骼肌SDF-1的释放,有助于提高骨密度,改善骨生物力学指标,提高血清钙离子含量,降低磷离子含量。     

The auxin influx carrier,OsAUX3, regulates rice root development and responses to aluminium stress

In rice, there are five members of the auxin carrier AUXIN1/LIKE AUX1 family; however, the biological functions of the other four members besides OsAUX1 remain unknown. Here, by using CRISPR/Cas9, we constructed two independent OsAUX3 knock‐down lines, osaux3‐1 and osaux3‐2, in wild‐type rice, Hwayoung (WT/HY) and Dongjin (WT/DJ). osaux3‐1 and osaux3‐2 have shorter primary roots (PRs), decreased lateral root (LR) density, and longer root hairs (RHs) compared with their WT. OsAUX3 expression in PRs, LRs, and RHs further supports that OsAUX3 plays a critical role in the regulation of root development. OsAUX3 locates at the plasma membrane and functions as an auxin influx carrier affecting acropetal auxin transport. OsAUX3 is up‐regulated in the root apex under aluminium (Al) stress, and osaux3‐2 is insensitive to Al treatments. Furthermore, 1‐naphthylacetic acid accented the sensitivity of WT/DJ and osaux3‐2 to respond to Al stress. Auxin concentrations, Al contents, and Al‐induced reactive oxygen species‐mediated damage in osaux3‐2 under Al stress are lower than in WT, indicating that OsAUX3 is involved in Al‐induced inhibition of root growth. This study uncovers a novel pathway alleviating Al‐induced oxidative damage by inhibition of acropetal auxin transport and provides a new option for engineering Al‐tolerant rice species.     

Night shift work and osteoporosis: evidence and hypothesis

Osteoporosis is an important public health problem worldwide. Among the countries with a very high population risk of fractures, there are those with the highest level of economic development. Osteoporotic fractures are the main cause of disability among elderly people, and the resultant disabilities require particularly large financial support associated not only with the direct treatment of the fracture but also with the necessity for long-term rehabilitation and care for the disabled person. Many well-established factors can have impact on bone mass and fracture risk. Recently, it has been hypothesized that working during nighttime which leads to endocrine disorders may have an indirect impact on bone physiology among night shift workers. Therefore, it can be presumed that the night shift work may contribute to the etiology of osteoporosis. The aim of our work was to make a review of the epidemiological evidence on the association between night shift work and bone mineral density or fracture risk as well as to discuss the potential biological mechanisms linking the work under this system with the development of osteoporosis. We have identified only four studies investigating the association between system of work and bone mineral density or fracture risk among workers. The findings of three out of four studies support the hypothesis. None of the studies has investigated a potential relationship between night shift work and bone turnover markers. Given that there have been no epidemiological studies in European countries that would concern working populations and the noticeable difference in the risk of osteoporosis between communities, further studies are warranted to elucidate the problem. It is presumed that further in-depth studies will not only identify the underlying factors of the disease but also contribute to developing guidelines for policy makers and employers for primary prevention of osteoporosis in workplace.     

Homozygous loss of menin is well tolerated in liver,a tissue not affected in MEN1

In recent studies from Sweden and the United States, a high vitamin A intake has been associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. In Sweden and the United States, food items such as milk and breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin A, whereas in Denmark there is no mandatory fortification with vitamin A. In the present study, we investigated relations between vitamin A intake and BMD and fracture risk in a Danish population consuming mostly unfortified food items. Within a population-based cohort study in 2,016 perimenopausal women, associations between BMD and vitamin A intake were assessed at baseline and after 5-year follow-up. Moreover, associations between baseline vitamin A intake and 5-year changes in BMD were studied. Finally, fracture risk was assessed in relation to vitamin A intake. In our cohort, dietary retinol intake (0.53 mg/day) was lower than the intake reported in recent studies form Sweden (0.78 mg/day) and the United States (1.66 mg/day). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed no associations between intake of vitamin A and BMD of the femoral neck or lumbar spine. Neither did BMD differ between those 5% who had the highest, and those 5% who had the lowest, vitamin A intake. During the 5-year study period, 163 subjects sustained a fracture (cases). Compared to 978 controls, logistic regression analyses revealed no difference in vitamin A intake. Thus, in a Danish population, average vitamin A intake is lower than in Sweden and the United States and not associated with detrimental effects on bone.