Introduction: There are few studies integrating the common causes of osteoporosis and obesity (disorders of body composition). A first step is to investigate correlations between their biological phenotypes to determine their common integrative physiology.
Objective: To correlate the variation of bone mineral density with phenotypes of body composition and biomarkers of bone physiology, insulin-glucose axis, and adipose tissue.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of 75 women (aged 18-45 years).
Measurements: Body mass index, waist, fat mass, lean mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), glucose, insulin, osteocalcin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha.
Statistical analysis: multivariate general linear model, SPSS v.22, p<0.05.
Results: Age: 32.08±7.33. Bone mineral content multivariate general linear model 1 with two phenotypes excluded (glucose, insulin): osteocalcin (β=-0.228, p=0.011), lean mass (β=0.606, p=0.001) and fat mass (β=1.237, p=0.001) in 62.0%. The bone mineral density multivariate general linear model 2 with three phenotypes excluded (body mass index, glucose, tumor necrosis factor alpha): insulin (β=0.250, p=0.024), osteocalcin (β=-0.362, p=0.001), lean mass (β=0.512, p=0.001) and fat mass (β=0.701, p=0.001) in 46.3%.
Conclusions: Results show that body composition with an increased lean mass is beneficial to bone. This study reaffirms the importance of performing regular exercise to prevent muscle loss.