Lipid accumulation levels reveal hidden osteoporosis risk

New research reveals that excess abdominal fat, measured by LAP, is a strong and non -linear predictor of reduced bone density in American adults, especially in the spine, which underlines the hidden risks that obesity poses for skeletal health.

Study: The association between lipid accumulation products and bone mineral density in American adults, a national cross -sectional study nationwide. Image credit: mattl_images / shuttersock.com

A recent study published in the Scientific Reports magazine investigates the use of lipid accumulation products (LAP) as an osteoporosis predictor.

The global health charge of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a disease mainly related to age, makes the bones become weak and fragile. Current estimates indicate that more than 20% of people 50 years of age and older worldwide live with osteoporosis, and women are more likely to experience a fracture related to osteoporosis.

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, almost 320 million people will be at risk of developing osteoporosis by 2040. Insufficient accumulation of bone mass during adolescence, combined with excessive bone loss during the Middle Ages and old age, significantly increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.

LAP, which determines the accumulation of lipids and the presence of central obesity, is calculated using both the measurements of the waist circumference and the levels of fasting triglycerides. High LAP values ​​can predict the risk of an individual to develop diabetes, liver disease, osteoarthritis and metabolic syndrome.

To date, few studies have investigated the relationship between LAP levels and bone mineral density (DMO), which motivated researchers from the current study to examine the association between these two biomarkers between a cohort of adults residing in the United States.

Study findings

The data for the current analysis were obtained from the National Survey of Health and Nutrition Exam (NHAES) between 2011 and 2018. The final analysis included 3,883 individuals, 54% of which were men with an average age of 39 years.

People with higher LP levels were more likely to be male, older, American or white, less educated and inform the behavior of alcohol and smoking consumption. Body mass index (BMI) measurements and blood nitrogen levels and uric acid between these individuals were also higher.

People with higher LP values ​​reported less healthy eating habits and were more likely to be deficient in vitamin D and phosphorus. The highest lap was also associated with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

After adjusting for other confusion factors, DMO measurements in people with LAP levels in the fourth quartile were 11% lower than those of the first quartile. However, no correlation was observed between the DMO and the LAP until the LAP levels exceeded 2.85; At this point, a negative correlation was observed. Lumbar DMO was 29% lower among people with LAP levels of 2.85 or more, indicating non -linear correlation.

These associations were independent of health conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, BMI, smoking, drinking and physical activity.

How obesity interrupts bone health

The potential mechanisms underlying the association between osteoporosis and obesity include the altered bone structure due to the increase in mechanical load induced by the increase in body weight.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) in obese people are more likely to differentiate themselves in fat cells than bone forming osteoblasts. In obesity, fat cells fill the bone marrow, thus suppressing the additional development of osteoblasts while promoting inflammation, which increases the risk of bone resorption by osteoclasts.

Hypertrophy of fatty cells during obesity can also lead to systemic inflammation due to the release of chemicals such as leptin. Insulin resistance may also arise, which accelerates metabolism within BMSC.

These findings support LAP’s clinical utility as a predictor of osteoporosis and provide valuable information to develop early intervention strategies for osteoporosis populations. “

Summary and future addresses

A key force of the current study is the inclusion of a representative cohort at the national level of American adults. Here, the highest LP levels were associated with a significantly higher risk of lumbar column osteoporosis, which suggests a non -linear correlation between these two conditions. These observations agree with previous studies that report that obesity increases the risk of bad bone health and, as a result, fragility fractures.

However, additional studies are needed to explore more thoroughly the potential association that exists between the DMO back and femur, since the current study did not have enough data to complete this analysis.