Association between Serum Carotenoids and Bone Health in Puerto Rican Adults: The Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study (BPROS)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives There is evidence to suggest that higher serum concentration of carotenoids is protective of osteoporosis, although studies have shown inconsistent findings. The majority of studies on serum carotenoids and bone have been conducted in predominantly non-Hispanic white populations. This study examined the relationship between serum total carotenoids and bone mineral density (BMD) and odds of osteoporosis among Puerto Rican older adults. Methods Data are from the Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study, a prospective cohort of Puerto Rican adults aged 47 to 79 y (n = 907). Serum total carotene (ug/dL) concentration was measured by fasting blood sample at baseline and 2-year follow-up. A cumulative average of the two measures was calculated. BMD (g/cm2) at the hip and lumbar spine sites were measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable analysis of covariance models tested associations between serum total carotenoids and BMD outcomes and multivariable logistic regression models examined associations with odds of osteoporosis. Models were adjusted for age, height, estrogenic (male, non-menopausal or taking hormone replacements, no estrogen) status, BMI, alcohol use, smoking status, calcium intake, and serum vitamin D and triglycerides. Results Participants were primarily female (72.1%), mean age: 59 years ± 7.4 and mean serum carotenoids: 93 ug/dL ± 34.2. Serum total carotenoids were not associated with BMD at the trochanter (β = 0.16 ± 0.13), femoral neck (β = 0.09 ± 0.13), total hip (β = −0.46 ± 0.18), or lumbar spine (β = 0.11 ± 0.14) (P = 0.16–0.50). Further, there was no association between serum carotenoids and odds of osteoporosis after adjusting for potential confounding (OR = 1.00, 95%CI: 0.99, 1.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that dietary factors other than total carotenoids may be more important for bone health among Puerto Rican adults. Further research is needed to confirm these results. Investigation of individual dietary carotenoids may provide additional insight into the associations with bone in this population. Funding Sources NIH (P01 AG023394, P50 HL105185, R01 AG027087). SEN is supported by K01 AR067894.