Reduced estrogen signaling contributes to bone loss and cardiac dysfunction in interleukin-10 knockout mice.

Characterization of the interleukin (IL)-10 knockout (KO) mouse with chronic gut inflammation, cardiovascular dysfunction, and bone loss suggests a critical role for this cytokine in interorgan communication within the gut, bone, and cardiovascular axis. We sought to understand the role of IL-10 in the cross-talk between these systems. Six-week-old IL-10 KO mice and their wild type (WT) counterparts were maintained on a standard rodent diet for 3 or 6 months. Gene expression of proinflammatory markers and Fgf23, serum 17ß-estradiol (E2), and cardiac protein expression were assessed. Ileal Il17a and Tnf mRNA increased while Il6 mRNA increased in the bone and heart by at least 2-fold in IL-10 KO mice. Bone Dmp1 and Phex mRNA were repressed at 6 months in IL-10 KO mice, resulting in increased Fgf23 mRNA (~4-fold) that contributed to increased fibrosis. In the IL-10 KO mice, gut bacterial ß-glucuronidase activity and ovarian Cyp19a1 mRNA were lower (p < 0.05), consistent with reduced serum E2 and reduced cardiac pNOS3 (Ser1119 ) in these mice. Treatment of ileal lymphocytes with E2 reduced gut inflammation in WT but not IL-10 KO mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that diminished estrogen and defective bone mineralization increased FGF23 which contributed to cardiac fibrosis in the IL-10 KO mouse.

Body Mass Index Superior to Body Adiposity Index in Predicting Adiposity in Female Collegiate Athletes.

Body mass index (BMI) is moderately correlated with %Fat and often used to assess obesity in athletes. Limited research assesses BMI as a surrogate for %Fat in female collegiate athletes. Body Adiposity Index (BAI) is an anthropometric measurement suggested to be superior to BMI at predicting adiposity but has not been well assessed within female athletic populations. This study aimed to determine if BAI is superior to other anthropometric indices to predict %Fat in female collegiate athletes and college-aged female non-athletes. Collegiate female athletes and female non-athletes were invited into the laboratory for anthropometrics and %Fat measurements via BOD POD. BAI was calculated as Hip Circumference/Height1.5 - 18. Eighty-eight female non-athletes and 72 female athletes from soccer (n = 27), softball (n = 28), and basketball (n = 17) completed the study. Using BMI, 19% of non-athletes had a false positive (FP). Sensitivity of BMI in non-athletes was 85.5%, while specificity was 73%. 16% of athletes had a FP. Sensitivity of BMI within athletes was 100%, specificity was 81%. BMI outperformed BAI in athletic (BMI: r = .725, p < .001; BAI: r = .556, p < .001) and nonathletic (BMI: r = .650, p < .001; BAI: r = .499, p < .001) groups. The strongest anthropometric predictor of %Fat within the non-athlete population was BMI (r2 = .42, p < .001). Waist circumference was the strongest predictor in the athletic population (r2 = .62, p < .001). BMI outperformed BAI in its ability to predict %Fat.