Determinants of bone mineral density in obese premenopausal women

Abstract

Despite being a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, obesity has been thought to protect against osteoporosis. However, recent studies have demonstrated a differential impact of specific fat compartments on bone mineral density (BMD) with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) having potential detrimental effects on BMD. Visceral obesity is also associated with dysregulation of the GH/IGF-1 axis, an important regulator of bone homeostasis. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the differential effects of abdominal fat depots and muscle, vitamin D, and hormonal determinants, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), testosterone, and estradiol, on trabecular BMD of the lumbar spine. We studied 68 healthy obese premenopausal women (mean BMI, 36.7±4.2 kg/m(2)). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to assess body composition and lumbar trabecular BMD. There was an inverse association between BMD and VAT, independent of age and BMI (p=0.003). IGF-1 correlated positively with BMD and negatively with VAT and, in stepwise multivariate regression modeling, was the strongest predictor of BMD and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Thigh muscle cross sectional area (CSA) and thigh muscle density were also associated with BMD (p<0.05), but 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], testosterone, free testosterone, and estradiol levels were not. 25(OH)D was associated inversely with BMI, total, and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (p<0.05). These findings support the hypothesis that VAT exerts detrimental effects, whereas muscle mass exerts positive effects on BMD in premenopausal obese women. Moreover, our findings suggest that IGF-1 may be a mediator of the deleterious effects of VAT on bone health through effects on bone formation.

Figure 1

Regression analysis of L4 trabecular BMD on visceral adipose tissue. There is an inverse association between bone mineral density and visceral adipose tissue.

Figure 2

Regression analysis of L4 trabecular BMD on thigh muscle cross sectional area. There is a positive correlation between bone mineral density and thigh muscle cross sectional area.

Figure 3

Regression analysis of L4 trabecular BMD on insulin-type growth factor-1 (IGF-1). There is a positive correlation between bone mineral density and IGF-1.

Figure 4

Regression analysis of L4 trabecular BMD on N -terminal propeptide of Type 1 procollagen (P1NP). There is a positive correlation between bone mineral density and P1NP.

Figure 5

Regression analysis of N -terminal propeptide of Type 1 procollagen (P1NP) on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). There is a positive correlation between P1NP and IGF-1.