Differences In Bone Strength Research Articles

Utility and Limitations of TALLYHO/JngJ as a Model for Type 2 Diabetes-Induced Bone Disease.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases risk of fractures due to bone microstructural and material deficits, though the mechanisms remain unclear. Preclinical models mimicking diabetic bone disease are required to further understand its pathogenesis. The TALLYHO/JngJ (TH) mouse is a polygenic model recapitulating adolescent-onset T2DM in humans. Due to incomplete penetrance of the phenotype ~25% of male TH mice never develop hyperglycemia, providing a strain-matched nondiabetic control. We performed a comprehensive characterization of the metabolic and skeletal phenotype of diabetic TH mice and compared them to either their nondiabetic TH controls or the recommended SWR/J controls to evaluate their suitability to study diabetic bone disease in humans. Compared to both controls, male TH mice with T2DM exhibited higher blood glucose levels, weight along with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. TH mice with/without T2DM displayed higher cortical bone parameters and lower trabecular bone parameters in the femurs and vertebrae compared to SWR/J. The mechanical properties remained unchanged for all three groups except for a low-energy failure in TH mice with T2DM only compared to SWR/J. Histomorphometry analyses only revealed higher number of osteoclasts and osteocytes for SWR/J compared to both groups of TH. Bone turnover markers procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were low for both groups of TH mice compared to SWR/J. Silver nitrate staining of the femurs revealed low number of osteocyte lacunar and dendrites in TH mice with T2DM. Three-dimensional assessment showed reduced lacunar parameters in trabecular and cortical bone. Notably, osteocyte morphology changed in TH mice with T2DM compared to SWR/J. In summary, our study highlights the utility of the TH mouse to study T2DM, but not necessarily T2DM-induced bone disease, as there were no differences in bone strength and bone cell parameters between diabetic and non-diabetic TH mice. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

OR13-01 Type 1 Diabetes Is Associated With Differential Skeletal Effects At The Onset Of Peak Bone Accrual

Abstract Disclosure: A.V. Brossfield: None. K.M. Williams: None. A.B. Sopher: None. D.J. McMahon: None. J. Fernando: None. S. Agarwal: None. M.R. Rubin: None. Objective: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) often develops prior to attainment of peak bone mass, yet few data exist regarding bone accretion in the peri-pubertal period. We hypothesized that T1D have disrupted bone architecture at the onset of peak bone mass accrual in association with hyperglycemia and advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) accumulation. Methods: We enrolled T1D and controls at onset of peak bone accretion (Tanner: girls 2/3, boys 3/4) and assessed aBMD by DXA and volumetric BMD (vBMD), microarchitecture, and bone strength by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) with finite element analysis (µFE) at the distal (4%) and proximal (30%) radius and tibia. We assessed time in hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL) by continuous glucose monitoring and AGE accumulation by skin autofluorescence (SAF). Results: T1D (n=29, age 12.5 ± 0.3 [SE] yr, 79% male, 68% white) vs controls (n=31, 12.2 ± 0.3 yr, 55% male, 68% white) had higher BMI (21.3 ± 1 vs 18.4 ± 0.5 kg/m2; p=0.04), fasting glucose (168.5 ± 9 vs 88.4 ± 2 mg/dL; p<0.0001) and HbA1c (8.4 ± 0.8 vs 5.0 ± 0.2%; p=0.05) with a trend toward higher bone age (13.5 ± 0.3 vs 12.6 ± 0.3 yr, p=0.07) and lower 25OHD (24.0 ± 1 vs 34.8 ± 3 ng/mL, p=0.08). After multivariate adjustment (sex, bone age, height and weight), DXA showed decreased bone area in T1D at the total, sub-total, leg, rib and ultradistal radius, and decreased bone mineral content at the rib, leg and trochanter (ranging from -4.1% to -13.5%, all p <0.05). Multivariate adjusted HRpQCT data showed decreased trabecular area in T1D at the distal radius (169.9 ± 8 vs 201.2 ± 8 mm2; p=0.007) and tibia (578 ± 17 vs 631 ± 17 mm2; p=0.04) and decreased cortical perimeter at the distal radius (56.0 ± 1 vs 60.1 ± 1 mm2; p=0.009). However, T1D had increased cortical vBMD at the distal (698.2 ± 8 vs 663.5 ± 8 mg HA/cm3; p=0.004) and proximal radius (998 ± 6 vs 977 ± 6 mg HA/cm3; p=0.02) and tibia (998 ± 6 vs 977 ± 6 mg HA/cm3; p=0.02) and increased cortical thickness at the distal radius (0.74 ± 0.03 vs 0.64 ± 0.03 mm; p=0.03). There was no difference in bone strength by µFE. Within T1D, lower trabecular area at the distal radius was associated with higher SAF (β -69.26 ± 30 mm2; p=0.04) while higher cortical vBMD at the distal tibia was associated with higher time in hyperglycemia (β 0.633 ± 0.3 mg HA/cm3; p=0.03). Conclusion: T1D at the onset of peak bone accrual have decreased bone area and mineral content by DXA. They also have decreased trabecular area but increased cortical vBMD by HRpQCT, in association with AGE accumulation and hyperglycemia. We speculate that reduced bone turnover with hyperglycemia might lead to reduced area at more metabolically active trabecular sites but is compensated for by excess mineral accumulation at less active cortical sites, with overall maintenance of bone strength. Follow up will elucidate progression of these alterations during the growth spurt. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Genetics of tibia bone properties of crossbred commercial laying hens in different housing systems.

Osteoporosis and bone fractures are a severe problem for the welfare of laying hens, with genetics and environment, such as housing system, each making substantial contributions to bone strength. In this work, we performed genetic analyses of bone strength, bone mineral density, and bone composition, as well as body weight, in 860 commercial crossbred laying hens from 2 different companies, kept in either furnished cages or floor pens. We compared bone traits between housing systems and crossbreds and performed a genome-wide association study of bone properties and body weight. As expected, the 2 housing systems produced a large difference in bone strength, with layers housed in floor pens having stronger bones. These differences were accompanied by differences in bone geometry, mineralization, and chemical composition. Genome scans either combining or independently analyzing the 2 housing systems revealed no genome-wide significant loci for bone breaking strength. We detected 3 loci for body weight that were shared between the housing systems on chromosomes 4, 6, and 27 (either genome-wide significant or suggestive) and these coincide with associations for bone length. In summary, we found substantial differences in bone strength, content, and composition between hens kept in floor pens and furnished cages that could be attributed to greater physical activity in pen housing. We found little evidence for large-effect loci for bone strength in commercial crossbred hens, consistent with a highly polygenic architecture for bone strength in the production environment. The lack of consistent genetic associations between housing systems in combination with the differences in bone phenotypes could be due to gene-by-environment interactions with housing system or a lack of power to detect shared associations for bone strength.

Bone Robusticity Values - Non Weight Bearing Vs Weight Bearing Bones: The Iowa Bone Development Study

Adolescence is a key time for bone development with 25% of adult bone accrued in these years. Evidence also indicates that robusticity (bone width relative to length) may account for a 30%-80% difference in bone strength with slender bones being weaker and prone to stress fracture. Few studies have investigated robustness and bone strength in children. PURPOSE: To determine the variability in robusticity and bone strength pre puberty and at maturity of weight bearing and non-weight bearing bones. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from the Iowa Bone Development Study (IBDS) was used. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03547128 Using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) measures of bone strength from the tibia and radius from 11-25 years of age were obtained. Robusticity (total bone area/ bone length) was calculated and the variability of each measure was determined by calculating the Coefficient of Variation (CV) (mean/standard deviation). CV’s were compared for bone strength variables, bone mineral density, moment of inertia, cortical area, robusicity, total area and bone length between the non weight bearing radius and weight bearing tibia. RESULTS: At both 11 and 23 years of age, robusticity values in the radius were approximately 25-30% more variable compared to the tibia (Pre-puberty CV: Tibia 17.15%, Radius 24.52%. Post-puberty CV: Tibia 19.21%, Radius 25.69%) Similar CV’s were found in total area (Pre-puberty CV: Tibia: 22.91%, Radius 29.04%. Post-puberty CV: Tibia 26.18%, Radius 32.90%) but not in bone length (Pre-puberty CV: Tibia 9.57%, Radius 9.18%. Post-puberty CV: Tibia 10.14%, Radius 10.59%). CONCLUSIONS: Robusticity varied less in the tibia pre and post puberty. The increase in variability measured by the CV for the radius may be due to more variety in loading of the upper limb compared to the lower limb. Most ambulatory individuals consistently apply at least 1x body weight loading to their lower limb bones while walking. Normative data indicates healthy adults typically take between 4,000 and 18,000 steps/day. Also the variability in robusticity is from the changes in total area of the bone suggesting different osteoblast and osteoclast activity for the upper and lower limbs.

Providing ramps in rearing aviaries affects laying pullet distribution, behavior and bone properties

To ensure that laying hens can make full use of the various resources within an aviary barn and develop optimum bone health while minimizing keel bone fractures, appropriate cognitive and bone development during rearing is critical. Given previous work documenting the benefit of ramps that could be used by hens to transition between tiers and reduced incidence of keel bone fractures, the project examined the provision of ramps during the rearing period, which birds could use voluntarily from 10 days of age. We hypothesized that the provision of ramps would influence how pullets distribute within the aviary and how birds vertically move between the aviary tiers leading to greater bone strength in birds with access to ramps. The study used two flocks of laying hen chicks (Lohmann Selected Leghorn; 4′800 chicks/flock) that were reared in one of two commercial rearing facilities with each divided into four pens (600 chicks/pen) to allow for treatment assignments. In two pens of each facility, ramps were installed from each of the three tiers providing a walking path that birds could access from 10 days of age. Video recordings were made at four times per day at 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, and 14 weeks of age to determine the relative distribution of birds and the number of transitions between each tier. At 16 weeks of age, 10 birds per pen per flock were killed and the tibia and humerus collected for biomechanical assessment; the keel was also collected for bone mineral density via computed tomography. Chicks/pullets within pens provided ramps demonstrated a rapid use of the upper tiers of the aviary paralleling greater usage of ramps between all aviary levels. Despite the ramp and tier usage following the predicted pattern, differences in bone strength were opposite than expected for tibiae and may reflect the different behaviors pens with ramps and without ramps would allow. Results support the position that provision of ramps within a commercial system will lead to voluntary usage of the ramps with long term effects on the distribution of birds in the system throughout the rearing period.

Potential Sex Differences in Bone Strength: A Cadaveric Study

This study was conducted to determine if there was a difference in bone strength between men and post‐menopausal women. Prior research suggests that women are four times more likely to be affected by osteoporosis and experience fractures twice as often as men. Bone mass loss found in osteoporosis increases in women after menopause due to marked estrogen deficiency. However, it is unclear whether this bone mass difference between men and women contributes to a reduction in bone strength. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study was that men will have a higher bone density than women and will therefore have stronger bones when tested to failure. To test this hypothesis, eight cadavers (four men, four women) from the Wayne State University Willed Body Program were used (age: 81±16, range: 51‐104). The bone density of the ulna was calculated via a volume displacement test and its mass. The ulna was then secured and weight was added incrementally until failure. There was no significant difference found in ulna bone density between men and women (p=0.776); however, the weight required to break the ulnas in men was greater (p=0.0001). Once normalized by the mass of the ulna this effect was reduced (p>0.05). These data suggest potential sex differences in bone strength, independent of bone density, indicating future investigation is needed at different locations in the body.

In pursuit of a better broiler: tibial morphology, breaking strength, and ash content in conventional and slower-growing strains of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to determine the differences in bone traits in 14 strains of broiler chickens differing in growth rate. The strains encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG0-48 >60 g/d) and 12 slower-growing (SG) strains classified as FAST (ADG0-62 = 53–55 g/d), MOD (ADG0-62 = 50–51 g/d), and SLOW (ADG0-62 <50 g/d), with 4 strains represented in each SG category. A total of 7,216 mixed-sex birds were equally allocated into 164 pens (44 birds/pen; 30 kg/m2) in a randomized incomplete block design, with each strain represented in 8 to 12 pens over 2–3 trials. From each pen, 4 birds (2 males and 2 females) were individually weighed and euthanized at 2 target weights (TWs) according to their time to reach approximately 2.1 kg (TW1: 34 d for CONV and 48 d for SG strains) and 3.2 kg (TW2: 48 d for CONV and 62 d for SG strains). Tibiae samples were dissected, and length and diameter were recorded. Left tibiae were used for tibial breaking strength (TBS) at both TWs and tibial ash at TW2. At TW1, CONV birds’ tibiae were narrowest and shortest (P < 0.001), yet had similar TBS compared to the other categories (P > 0.69). At TW2, category (P > 0.50) had no effect on tibial diameter, yet CONV birds had the shortest tibiae (P < 0.001). The CONV birds had greater TBS:BW ratio than FAST and MOD birds at both TWs 1 and 2 (P < 0.039) and similar ash content as the other categories at TW2 (P > 0.220). At 48 d of age, CONV birds had the greatest absolute TBS (P < 0.003), yet lower TBS:BW ratio than SLOW birds (P < 0.001). Tibiae from CONV birds were longer than MOD and SLOW birds, and thicker in diameter than the other categories, yet CONV birds had the lowest dimensions relative to BW (P < 0.001) at 48 d, indicating a negative association between accelerated growth and tibial dimensions. These results indicate that differences in functional abilities among categories may be due to differences in morphometric traits rather than differences in bone strength and mineralization.

Risk of non-vertebral fractures in men with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder. Research regarding the risk of non-vertebral fractures in men, especially in elderly men with T2DM, has not been a priority. T2DM is not a known independent risk factor for low-energy fractures in patients. We aimed to explore the relationship between men (especially older men) with T2DM and the risk of non-vertebral fractures and the reasons for the sex differences. The PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles on T2DM and fracture risk. A meta-analysis, including heterogeneity testing, publication bias analysis, and subgroup analysis of the included studies, was performed using STATA software. Sixteen studies involving 1,758,225 participants, 59,909 non-vertebral fracture events, and 6430 vertebral fracture events were included in this research. The adjusted relative risk of T2DM and non-vertebral fracture in men was 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.31), implying that men with T2DM have a slightly increased risk of non-vertebral fracture. Male patients with T2DM have a slightly increased risk of non-vertebral fractures. Due to the differences in bone strength, sex steroid hormone levels, bone quality and muscle strength and balance, men with type 2 diabetes have a lower risk of non-vertebral fractures than women.

Influence of a raised slatted area in front of the nest on leg health, mating behaviour and floor eggs in broiler breeders

European farms for broiler breeders often have raised slatted areas in front of the nests, but in other regions of the world no raised slatted areas are provided. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a raised slatted area on leg health, mating behaviour and floor laying behaviour. Ten groups of 33 broiler breeder hens and three males were housed in two pen types: with or without a raised slatted area in front of the nests. Each pen had one plastic and one wooden nest. Between 25 and 31 weeks of age, ten marked hens per pen were weighed and assessed weekly on foot pad dermatitis, hock burn and wounds. At the end of week 31, animals were euthanized and bone strength of the tibia and humerus of these individuals was assessed. At 24, 27 and 30 weeks of age, mating behaviour was observed for an hour per pen, noting both numbers of successful and unsuccessful copulations. The number of eggs laid in the nests and on the floor was recorded daily between 20 and 31 weeks of age. Foot pad dermatitis scores were affected by age, but not by pen type. Generally, there were only minor issues with foot pad dermatitis (scores <11 on a 0–100 scale), probably due to the young age of the hens. Body weight was not affected by pen type, while the prevalence of hock burns was too low to analyse and no difference in bone strength was found for the tibia and the humerus. Overall, mating behaviour was less frequent in pens with raised slats than in pens without raised slats (29 ± 2 vs 35 ± 3 times/h) and more frequent at 27 weeks of age than at 24 and 30 weeks of age (38 ± 1 vs 31 ± 4 and 27 ± 2 times/h). The pens with raised slats had a lower percentage of floor eggs than pens without raised slats (11.2 ± 0.4 vs 19.3 ± 0.5%). The wooden nest was preferred over the plastic nest as on average 63% of the eggs were laid in the wooden nest. This study shows that providing raised slats decreases mating behaviour and percentage of floor eggs, although its effects on leg health remain inconclusive.

Bilateral Bone Strength Differences In Division II Female Volleyball Players

Loading (exercise) increases bone strength and reduces the likelihood of fractures later in life. However, questions remain as to the specific loading parameters that optimize bone strength. Past research investigating the effect of loading on bone strength have reported significant bilateral differences in bone characteristics favoring the dominant arm in male racket-sport players (Haapasalo et al., 2000) and former professional baseball pitchers (Warden et al 2014). Results also emphasized positive lifelong effects of loading on bone. Volleyball players primarily utilize a dominant side; therefore they are an excellent model to investigate the effects of bilateral loading on bone. PURPOSE: To determine bilateral differences in bone strength, including bone architecture, size and density in the radius. METHODS: 16 Division II female volleyball players (mean age 19 years + 1.15, height 1.74 + 0.69 m, weight 69.81 + 8.14 kg, body fat 23.86 + 5.73%) underwent peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans to measure bone strength on both the dominant and non-dominant radius. Trabecular bone variables (4% epiphyseal site) included trabecular bone mineral density (BMD.tb), total bone mineral content (Total BMC), total area (TotA), and compressive strength index (BSIc). Cortical bone variables (66% diaphyseal site) included cortical density (CoD), cortical area (CoA), strength strain index (pSSI), and moment of inertia (J). One-tailed paired T-tests were performed to compare the variables. RESULTS: No significant side to side differences were found. The side to side percent (%) differences found at the 4% site were BMD.tb (-0.45%), Total BMC (0.99%), TotA (-0.63%). The side to side percent (%) differences found at the 66% site were CoD (-0.97%), CoA (1.90%), pSSI (0.31%), J (5.23%). CONCLUSION: Volleyball may not result in loading significant enough to cause bilateral bone strength differences. Limitations include possible prevalent bilateral strength differences in the humerus, consideration of starting age (pre or post menarche) of playing volleyball, comparison of males and females of different sports.

Deficits in Bone Architecture and Strength in Children Living With HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Reduced bone mineral mass by dual x-ray absorptiometry is reported in children living with HIV (CLWH), but few studies of bone microarchitecture, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, have been conducted. Here, we compare bone architecture and strength in black South African CLWH and uninfected control children by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). One hundred seventy-two CLWH on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 98 controls in the CHANGES Bone Study in Johannesburg, South Africa received pQCT scans of the radius and tibia. Measurements included trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone strength, estimated by the polar strength strain index (SSI), a validated measure of fracture risk. CLWH (51% boys) and controls (63% boys) were an average of age 10.4 years. Mean ART duration for CLWH was 9.5 years, with 70.9% on an efavirenz-based, 28.5% on a lopinavir/ritonavir-based, and 1 child on an atazanavir/ritonavir-based regimen. Male CLWH had lower trabecular vBMD at the radius than controls after adjustment for age, radial length, and Tanner stage (β = -17.3, standard error = 7.2, P = 0.018). Bone strength by polar SSI was lower in CLWH than controls (778 vs. 972 mm, P < 0.01). CLWH on an LPV/r-based regimen had lower trabecular vBMD (199 vs. 222 mg/cm, P < 0.001) and cortical vBMD (1074 vs. 1093 mg/cm, P = 0.004) than those on an efavirenz-based regimen. No difference in bone strength by polar SSI was observed between treatment groups. CLWH initiated on ART early in life with well-controlled HIV have deficits in bone architecture and reductions in bone strength as detected by pQCT.

Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Volumetric Bone Density and Bone Strength

Few studies have assessed the effects of daily vitamin D doses at or above the tolerable upper intake level for 12 months or greater, yet 3% of US adults report vitamin D intakes of at least 4000 IU per day. To assess the dose-dependent effect of vitamin D supplementation on volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) and strength. Three-year, double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted in a single center in Calgary, Canada, from August 2013 to December 2017, including 311 community-dwelling healthy adults without osteoporosis, aged 55 to 70 years, with baseline levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) of 30 to 125 nmol/L. Daily doses of vitamin D3 for 3 years at 400 IU (n = 109), 4000 IU (n = 100), or 10 000 IU (n = 102). Calcium supplementation was provided to participants with dietary intake of less than 1200 mg per day. Co-primary outcomes were total volumetric BMD at radius and tibia, assessed with high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and bone strength (failure load) at radius and tibia estimated by finite element analysis. Of 311 participants who were randomized (53% men; mean [SD] age, 62.2 [4.2] years), 287 (92%) completed the study. Baseline, 3-month, and 3-year levels of 25(OH)D were 76.3, 76.7, and 77.4 nmol/L for the 400-IU group; 81.3, 115.3, and 132.2 for the 4000-IU group; and 78.4, 188.0, and 144.4 for the 10 000-IU group. There were significant group × time interactions for volumetric BMD. At trial end, radial volumetric BMD was lower for the 4000 IU group (-3.9 mg HA/cm3 [95% CI, -6.5 to -1.3]) and 10 000 IU group (-7.5 mg HA/cm3 [95% CI, -10.1 to -5.0]) compared with the 400 IU group with mean percent change in volumetric BMD of -1.2% (400 IU group), -2.4% (4000 IU group), and -3.5% (10 000 IU group). Tibial volumetric BMD differences from the 400 IU group were -1.8 mg HA/cm3 (95% CI, -3.7 to 0.1) in the 4000 IU group and -4.1 mg HA/cm3 in the 10 000 IU group (95% CI, -6.0 to -2.2), with mean percent change values of -0.4% (400 IU), -1.0% (4000 IU), and -1.7% (10 000 IU). There were no significant differences for changes in failure load (radius, P = .06; tibia, P = .12). Among healthy adults, treatment with vitamin D for 3 years at a dose of 4000 IU per day or 10 000 IU per day, compared with 400 IU per day, resulted in statistically significant lower radial BMD; tibial BMD was significantly lower only with the 10 000 IU per day dose. There were no significant differences in bone strength at either the radius or tibia. These findings do not support a benefit of high-dose vitamin D supplementation for bone health; further research would be needed to determine whether it is harmful. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01900860.

Consumption of Rabbiteye Blueberry Results in Accumulation of Hippuric Acid in the Bone Marrow and Increased Bone Deposition in Ovariectomized Rats but Few Other Bone Benefits (P06-064-19)

ObjectivesDetermine the effects of an 8-wk chronic consumption of two different blueberry varieties at varying doses on calcium balance, calcium kinetics, bone microarchitecture and polyphenol metabolism and distribution in ovariectomized rats. MethodsEighty 5-mo old ovariectomized rats were sorted by weight and block-randomized to an 8-wk chronic feeding treatment of a polyphenol-free (control), 2.5% or 5% `Montgomery ́ (Mont) rabbiteye blueberry (V. ashei) or 5% wild lowbush blueberry (Wild BB) (V. angustifolium) (% w/w). During week 0 and week 8, rats went through a calcium balance study to determine calcium absorption and retention. At the end of week 8, rats were dosed with 45Ca and serial blood draws were done from baseline up to 48 h post-dose to map Ca kinetics. At sacrifice, the right femur was collected to determine differences in bone strength and microarchitecture of trabecular and cortical bone through MicroCT and a three-point bending test. A 24 h urine collection was done at baseline and during week 8 of treatment to determine urinary phenolic acid excretion and the left femur bone marrow phenolic acid accumulation through UPLC-MS/MS. ResultsA blueberry enriched diet had no effect on cortical bone microarchitecture, with a trend towards increased trabecular bone protection (p = 0.08). No differences were observed in bone strength. During baseline, a 2.5% Mont diet significantly increased Ca retention, but the effect was lost after the 8 weeks of treatment when rats had stabilized to treatment. Calcium kinetics showed that Mont 5% significantly increased Ca absorption and bone turnover (p < 0.05), while Mont 2.5% and Wild BB 5% did not. An accumulation of hippuric acid in the bone marrow was detected with the Mont blueberry treatments and it was significantly and positively correlated with bone deposition. The metabolism of phenolic acids was significantly affected by a chronic consumption of the treatment diets, resulting in significant phenolic acid profiles and excretion shifts. ConclusionsA blueberry-enriched diet had minimal effects on bone after stabilized to ovariectomy and the effects differ depending on blueberry variety and dose. Funding SourcesNational Institute of Health (NIH) and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

Short tandem repeats and methylation in the promoter region affect expression of cystathionine beta-synthase gene in the laying hen

Homocysteine can be converted to cysteine via the transsulfuration pathway where cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) is a rate-limiting enzyme. Homocysteine is thought to play a role in bone remodelling and strength. Previous results indicated that some of the difference in bone strength of end-of-lay hens may be associated with CBS expression level. To investigate if differences in the promoter region of the CBS gene might be responsible for observed differences in gene expression between CBS alleles post mortem- and in-vitro expression studies have been undertaken. Transfection of the DF-1 avian cell line with a series of deletion fragments of the 5′ promoter, or constructs containing three CBS allele sequences, with a luciferase reporter revealed that a core region of −155 to +131 bp in the CBS promoter was essential for mRNA expression. We found that a variable number of short tandem repeats (7 nucleotide motif and 6 nucleotide repeats) in the core region of the promoter affecting the transcriptional activity and a strong effect for gene expression. However, methylation of the 6 nucleotide repeats varied between allelic variants and these maybe responsible for differences in promoter activity. Our findings indicated variable short tandem repeats and the differentially methylated sites in the promoter region may be responsible for CBS expression differences in the bone of laying hens.

Bone geometry in young male and female football players: a peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) study.

The aim of this study was to compare bone geometry in adolescent football players and controls. A total of 107 football players (71 males/36 females; mean age 12.7 ± 0.6/12.7 ± 0.6years) and 42 controls (20 males/22 females; mean age 13.1 ± 1.4/12.7 ± 1.3years) participated in this study. Total and trabecular volumetric bone mineral content (Tt.BMC/Tb.BMC), cross-sectional area (Tt.Ar/Tb.Ar), and bone strength index (BSI) were measured at 4% site of the non-dominant tibia by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Moreover, Tt.BMC, cortical BMC (Ct.BMC), Tt.Ar, cortical Ar (Ct.Ar), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), periosteal circumference (PC), endosteal circumference (EC), fracture load in X-axis, and polar strength strain index (SSIp) were measured at 38% site of the tibia. Multivariate analyses of covariance were used to compare bone pQCT variables between football players and controls using the tibia length and maturity offset as covariates. Female football players demonstrated 13.8-16.4% higher BSI, Ct.Th, fracture load in X-axis, and SSIp than controls (p < .0036). Males showed no significant differences in bone strength when compared to controls (p > .0036). In relation to bone mineral content and area, male football players showed 8.8% higher Tt.Ar and Tb.Ar at the 4% site of the tibia when compared to controls; whereas 13.8-15.8% higher Tt.BMC, Ct.BMC, and Ct.Ar at the 38% site of the tibia were found in female football players than controls (p < .0036). In this study, female adolescent football players presented better bone geometry and strength values than controls. In contrast, only bone geometry was higher in male football players than controls.

Complex interplay among adiposity, insulin resistance and bone health.

Obesity and osteoporosis are common public health problems. Paradoxically, while obesity is associated with higher bone density, type 2 diabetic obese individuals have an increased fracture risk. Although obesity and insulin resistance co-exist, some obese individuals remain insulin-sensitive. We suggest that the apparent paradox relating obesity, bone density and fracture risk in type 2 diabetes may be at least partly influenced by differences in bone strength and quality between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive obese individuals. In this review, we focus on the complex interplay between, adiposity, insulin resistance and osteoporotic fracture risk and suggest that this is an important area of study that has implications for individually tailored and targeted treatment to prevent osteoporotic fracture in obese type 2 diabetic individuals.

Sex Differences and Growth-Related Adaptations in Bone Microarchitecture, Geometry, Density, and Strength From Childhood to Early Adulthood: A Mixed Longitudinal HR-pQCT Study.

Sex differences in bone strength and fracture risk are well documented. However, we know little about bone strength accrual during growth and adaptations in bone microstructure, density, and geometry that accompany gains in bone strength. Thus, our objectives were to (1) describe growth related adaptations in bone microarchitecture, geometry, density, and strength at the distal tibia and radius in boys and girls; and (2) compare differences in adaptations in bone microarchitecture, geometry, density, and strength between boys and girls. We used HR-pQCT at the distal tibia (8% site) and radius (7% site) in 184 boys and 209 girls (9 to 20 years old at baseline). We aligned boys and girls on a common maturational landmark (age at peak height velocity [APHV]) and fit a mixed effects model to these longitudinal data. Importantly, boys showed 28% to 63% greater estimated bone strength across 12 years of longitudinal growth. Boys showed 28% to 80% more porous cortices compared with girls at both sites across all biological ages, except at the radius at 9 years post-APHV. However, cortical density was similar between boys and girls at all ages at both sites, except at 9 years post-APHV at the tibia when girls' values were 2% greater than boys'. Boys showed 13% to 48% greater cortical and total bone area across growth. Load-to-strength ratio was 26% to 27% lower in boys at all ages, indicating lower risk of distal forearm fracture compared with girls. Contrary to previous HR-pQCT studies that did not align boys and girls at the same biological age, we did not observe sex differences in Ct.BMD. Boys' superior bone size and strength compared with girls may confer them a protective advantage. However, boys' consistently more porous cortices may contribute to their higher fracture incidence during adolescence. Large prospective studies using HR-pQCT that target boys and girls who have sustained a fracture are needed to verify this. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Effects of phosphorus supplementation in high-grain diets on blood, chemical and physical parameters of bones of feedlot Nellore bulls

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of phosphorus supplementation (PS) on blood, chemical and physical parameters from bones of feedlot Nellore bulls. Forty-two animals were distributed in a completely randomised design consisting of three treatments and 14 replicates. The treatments consisted of no supplementary phosphorus (P; T1; 2.4 g P/kg DM), a commercial mineral supplement formulated according to recommendations from the main Brazilian industries of mineral supplements for feedlot beef cattle (T2; 4.2 g P/kg DM) and dicalcium phosphate (T3; 5.0 g P/kg DM) in high-grain diets. The animals submitted or not to PS had similar calcium (Ca) and P values, Ca : P ratio, specific gravity, cortical thickness and bone mineral density in the 12th rib. However, a decrease in magnesium (Mg) concentration was observed in the 12th rib in T1 and T3 treatments throughout the study (P &lt; 0.05). The animals in T1 had lower cortical thickness of the metacarpus (P &lt; 0.05), without compromising its resistance and stiffness (P &gt; 0.05). To evaluate the P status in the animals, we performed the needle test, which allowed an assessment of differences in bone strength on the basis of the resistance to needle penetration on the transverse process (TP) of the lumbar vertebrae. Throughout the trial period, no animals were positive for the needle test conducted in the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. The PS significantly changed parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase concentrations (P &lt; 0.05) and the animals in T1 had lower concentrations of these hormones. However, there was no effect of PS on the concentration of Ca and P in the serum of animals (P &gt; 0.05). The inclusion of a mineral mix supplement in T2 resulted in higher Mg concentrations in the serum of animals (P &gt; 0.05). P supplementation for Nellore bulls, fed high proportions of concentrate during the feedlot period, resulted in no benefits in neither chemical nor physical properties of their bones and the level in the control diet appeared adequate in these circumstances.

Trabecular and cortical bone structure of the talus and distal tibia in Pan and Homo.

Internal bone structure, both cortical and trabecular bone, remodels in response to loading and may provide important information regarding behavior. The foot is well suited to analysis of internal bone structure because it experiences the initial substrate reaction forces, due to its proximity to the substrate. Moreover, as humans and apes differ in loading of the foot, this region is relevant to questions concerning arboreal locomotion and bipedality in the hominoid fossil record. We apply a whole-bone/epiphysis approach to analyze trabecular and cortical bone in the distal tibia and talus of Pan troglodytes and Homo sapiens. We quantify bone volume fraction (BV/TV), degree of anisotropy (DA), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), bone surface to volume ratio (BS/BV), and cortical thickness and investigate the distribution of BV/TV and cortical thickness throughout the bone/epiphysis. We find that Pan has a greater BV/TV, a lower BS/BV and thicker cortices than Homo in both the talus and distal tibia. The trabecular structure of the talus is more divergent than the tibia, having thicker, less uniformly aligned trabeculae in Pan compared to Homo. Differences in dorsiflexion at the talocrural joint and in degree of mobility at the talonavicular joint are reflected in the distribution of cortical and trabecular bone. Overall, quantified trabecular parameters represent overall differences in bone strength between the two species, however, DA may be directly related to joint loading. Cortical and trabecular bone distributions correlate with habitual joint positions adopted by each species, and thus have potential for interpreting joint position in fossil hominoids.

Differences in bone strength and metabolic parameters according to the presence of hyperadiponectinemia and obesity in Korean adults: The KoGES- ARIRANG study

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)