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A groundbreaking study undertaken by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC has illuminated the connections between inflammation-related proteins and variations in bone mineral density (BMD) over time. The research results, shared in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, mark a significant advancement in the understanding of bone health.
Funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, the findings may pave the way for identifying biomarkers that could indicate an individual’s risk for developing bone health problems as they age.
Bone mineral density, which indicates bone strength by measuring mineral content within bone tissue, is crucial for assessing bone health. While BMD typically peaks in young adulthood, it gradually decreases throughout life. This measure is instrumental in predicting conditions such as osteoporosis.
“Proteins play a vital role in bone formation and maintenance, and current research aims to identify specific proteins linked with bone health,” stated Emily Beglarian, the lead author and a doctoral candidate specializing in epidemiology in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at Keck School.
The study tracked 304 obese and overweight Latino adolescents aged 8 to 13 from the Study of Latino Adolescents at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes over an average span of three years. The team investigated the relationship between more than 650 proteins and annual measurements of BMD, marking one of the first studies to assess these associations longitudinally. The identified proteins associated with BMD were analyzed through a protein pathway database.
“Our analysis revealed that many proteins linked to BMD were involved in inflammatory and immune pathways among adolescents. Interestingly, similar pathways have been noted in studies of older adults,” Beglarian explained.
Previous research suggests that chronic inflammation may impair normal bone metabolism, resulting in reduced BMD.
Importance of inclusive research
In the United States, millions are affected by conditions characterized by low bone density, a trend that is expected to rise alongside an aging demographic. The years spent in childhood are pivotal for establishing BMD, with implications for lifelong skeletal health.
“Historically, most research has focused on narrow populations, often using small sample sizes that primarily include older adults, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis,” noted Beglarian. “This study stands out as one of the first to explore protein and BMD associations in younger demographics. Early investigation into bone density can highlight factors that hinder reaching optimal peak bone density,” she continued.
Advancing the understanding of bone health biomarkers
Beglarian further analyzed a subset of protein markers in a cohort of young adults, identifying similar associations with lower BMD. A reduction in BMD is a precursor for conditions such as osteopenia and osteoporosis in later life.
The insights generated from this study could lead to the establishment of biomarkers that highlight individuals at risk, who may benefit from preventative measures.
“It was enlightening to observe both overlaps and differences between our findings and previous studies, which often focus on BMD during the later stages of life when densities have already diminished significantly,” she remarked. “Through my research, I aim to identify factors that contribute to lower BMD earlier on, supporting individuals in achieving their maximum peak bone density over a lifetime,” added Beglarian.
About this study
Co-authors of the study included Jiawen Carmen Chen, Zhenjiang Li, Elizabeth Costello, Hongxu Wang, Hailey Hampson, Zhanghua Chen, Sarah Rock, Wu Chen, Max T Aung, Frank D Gilliland, Rob McConnell, Sandrah P Eckel, David V Conti, Jesse A Goodrich, Lida Chatzi from USC; Tanya L Alderete from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Damaskini Valvi from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Nahid Rianon from UTHealth McGovern Medical School; Michael I Goran from The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; and Miryoung Lee from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
This research was primarily funded by grant R01ES029944 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the NIH grant R01DK59211 (PI MG), the Southern California Children’s Environmental Health Center grants supported by NIEHS (5P01ES022845, P30ES007048, 5P01ES011627), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (RD83544101), and the Hastings Foundation.
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