Abstract
BackgroundThe positive relationship between lean mass (LM) and bone health is well known, but a positive association between insulin and LM has also been described. Insulin has some anabolic properties on bone through the stimulation of osteoblast differentiation, yet the role of LM as a confounder or mediator in this relationship remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo examine whether the association between insulin levels and bone health is mediated by LM.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the Castilla La Mancha University (Spain) involving 466 young adults (113 young men; 19.5±2.3 years). LM and total-body bone mineral content (BMC) were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and insulin was measured in fasting serum samples.ResultsYoung adults with high total LM had higher values of total-body BMC than their peers after controlling for age and sex, this relationship persisted after adjusting for insulin levels (p<0.001). In mediation analyses, insulin levels were positively associated with total-body BMC (b = 0.05; p<0.001) and total LM acted as an intermediate variable, attenuating the association between insulin levels and total-body BMC (b = -31.98; p>0.05) as indicated by Sobel test values for indirect effect (z = 4.43; p<0.001).ConclusionsLM plays an important role in the relationship between insulin levels and bone health, in such a way that while increases in LM have a positive influence on bone health, they are also negatively associated with insulin levels.
Highlights
Osteoporotic fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries [1]
Young adults with high total Lean mass (LM) had higher values of total-body bone mineral content (BMC) than their peers after controlling for age and sex, this relationship persisted after adjusting for insulin levels (p
Insulin levels were positively associated with total-body BMC (b = 0.05; p0.05) as indicated by Sobel test values for indirect effect (z = 4.43; p
Summary
Osteoporotic fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries [1] These fractures are clinical consequences of osteoporosis, a systemic skeletal disease that contributes to bone fragility [2]. LM is associated with insulin levels, because insulin can stimulate amino acid transport and protein synthesis [18,19] by inhibiting proteolysis [20] in skeletal muscle. These physiological effects have been used for therapeutic purposes and to increase muscle mass in individuals involved in sport activities [21]. Editor: Damian Christopher Genetos, University of California Davis, UNITED STATES
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