Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on energy balance and tissue metabolic health after loss of ovarian function.

Loss of ovarian function imparts increased susceptibility to obesity and metabolic disease. These effects are largely attributed to decreased estradiol (E2), but the role of increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in modulating energy balance has not been fully investigated. Previous work that blocked FSH binding to its receptor in mice suggested this hormone may play a part in modulating body weight and energy expenditure after ovariectomy (OVX). We used an alternate approach to isolate the individual and combined contributions of FSH and E2 in mediating energy imbalance and changes in tissue-level metabolic health. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and given the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix to suppress FSH production. E2 and FSH were then added back individually and in combination for a period of 3 wk. Energy balance, body mass composition, and transcriptomic profiles of individual tissues were obtained. In contrast to previous studies, suppression and replacement of FSH in our paradigm had no effect on body weight, body composition, food intake, or energy expenditure. We did, however, observe organ-specific effects of FSH that produced unique transcriptomic signatures of FSH in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue. These included reductions in biological processes related to lipogenesis and carbohydrate transport. In addition, rats administered FSH had reduced liver triglyceride concentration (P < 0.001), which correlated with FSH-induced changes at the transcriptomic level. Although not appearing to modulate energy balance after loss of ovarian function in rats, FSH may still impart tissue-specific effects in the liver and white adipose tissue that might affect the metabolic health of those organs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We find no effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on energy balance using a novel model in which rats are ovariectomized, subjected to gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonism, and systematically given back FSH by osmotic pump. However, tissue-specific effects of FSH on adipose tissue and liver were observed in this study. These include unique transcriptomic signatures induced by the hormone and a stark reduction in hepatic triglyceride accumulation.

Energy Balance and Bone Health: a Nutrient Availability Perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obesity is highly prevalent and is associated with bone fragility and fracture. The changing nutrient availability to bone in obesity is an important facet of bone health. The goal of this article is to summarize current knowledge on the effects of carbohydrate and dietary fat availability on bone, particularly in the context of other tissues. RECENT FINDINGS: The skeleton is a primary site for fatty acid and glucose uptake. The trafficking of carbohydrates and fats into tissues changes with weight loss and periods of weight gain. Exercise acutely influences nutrient uptake into bone and may affect nutrient partitioning to bone. Bone cells secrete hormones that signal to the brain and other tissues information about its energetic state, which may alter whole-body nutrient trafficking. There is a critical need for studies to address the changes that metabolic perturbations have on nutrient availability in bone.

Site-Specific Bone Differences and Energy Status in Male Competitive Runners and Road Cyclists.

The interaction between mechanical loading and energy availability on bone health in male endurance athletes merits further investigation. The purpose of this study was to compare bone status in male competitive runners and road cyclists and to investigate the influence of energy availability (EA) on bone mineral density (BMD). 18 competitive runners and 19 road cyclists (20-50 years) participated in this study. Areal BMD and body composition were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Volumetric bone variables at the 4% and 66% tibia sites were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Energy availability (EA, 7-day dietary and exercise logs) and resting metabolic rate (RMR, open circuit spirometry) were measured as indicators of energy status. Bone loading history, calcium intake, and training history were assessed by questionnaires. After adjusting for age, runners had significantly greater (p < 0.05) areal BMD (femoral neck, left total hip), Z-scores (total body, hips sites), total bone mineral content and trabecular variables (bone mineral content, volumetric BMD, bone strength index) at tibia 4% site, and total volumetric BMD at tibia 66% site than the cyclists (p ≤ 0.05). At the tibia 66% site, cyclists had significantly greater (p < 0.05) total area, periosteal circumference, endosteal circumference, and strength-strain index than runners. Energy variables were similar for runners and cyclists; however, RMR and RMR ratio (measured RMR/predicted RMR) were significantly lower in cyclists (p < 0.001). In conclusion, there were site-specific differences in hip and tibia bone characteristics between runners and cyclists. RMR was associated with several bone outcomes; however, EA was not related to bone health in runners or to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry bone variables in cyclists.

Compensatory eating behaviors in male and female rats in response to exercise training.

Exercise is often used as a strategy for weight loss maintenance. In preclinical models, we have shown that exercise may be beneficial because it counters the biological drive to regain weight. However, our studies have demonstrated sex differences in the response to exercise in this context. In the present study, we sought to better understand why females and males exhibit different compensatory food eating behaviors in response to regular exercise. Using a forced treadmill exercise paradigm, we measured weight gain, energy expenditure, food intake in real time, and the anorectic effects of leptin. The 4-wk exercise training resulted in reduced weight gain in males and sustained weight gain in females. In male rats, exercise decreased intake, whereas it increased food intake in females. Our results suggest that the anorectic effects of leptin were not responsible for these sex differences in appetite in response to exercise. If these results translate to the human condition, they may reveal important information for the use and application of regular exercise programs.

Update on the Acute Effects of Glucose, Insulin, and Incretins on Bone Turnover In Vivo.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an update on the acute effects of glucose, insulin, and incretins on markers of bone turnover in those with and without diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: Bone resorption is suppressed acutely in response to glucose and insulin challenges in both healthy subjects and patients with diabetes. The suppression is stronger with oral glucose compared with intravenous delivery. Stronger responses with oral glucose may be related to incretin effects on insulin secretion or from a direct effect on bone turnover. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) infusion acutely suppresses bone resorption without much effect on bone formation. The bone turnover response to a metabolic challenge may be attenuated in type 2 diabetes, but this is an understudied area. A knowledge gap exists regarding bone turnover responses to a metabolic challenge in type 1 diabetes. The gut-pancreas-bone link is potentially an endocrine axis. This linkage is disrupted in diabetes, but the mechanism and progression of this disruption are not understood.

Compensation for cold-induced thermogenesis during weight loss maintenance and regain.

Prevalence of obesity is exacerbated by low rates of successful long-term weight loss maintenance (WLM). In part, relapse from WLM to obesity is due to a reduction in energy expenditure (EE) that persists throughout WLM and relapse. Thus, interventions that increase EE might facilitate WLM. In obese mice that were calorically restricted to reduce body weight by ~20%, we manipulated EE throughout WLM and early relapse using intermittent cold exposure (ICE; 4°C, 90 min/day, 5 days/wk, within the last 3 h of the light cycle). EE, energy intake, and spontaneous physical activity were measured during the obese, WLM, and relapse phases. During WLM and relapse, the ICE group expended more energy during the light cycle because of cold exposure but expended less energy in the dark cycle, which led to no overall difference in total daily EE. The compensation in EE appeared to be mediated by activity, whereby the ICE group was more active during the light cycle because of cold exposure but less active during the dark cycle, which led to no overall effect on total daily activity during WLM and relapse. In brown adipose tissue of relapsing mice, the ICE group had greater mRNA expression of Dio2 and protein expression of UCP1 but lower mRNA expression of Prdm16. In summary, these findings indicate that despite robust increases in EE during cold exposures, ICE is unable to alter total daily EE during WLM or early relapse, likely due to compensatory behaviors in activity.

Development of a microcomputed tomography scoring system to characterize disease progression in the Hartley guinea pig model of spontaneous osteoarthritis.

AIM: There is potential discrepancy between human and laboratory animal studies of osteoarthritis (OA), as radiographic assessment is the hallmark of the former and histopathology the standard for the latter. This suggests a need to evaluate OA in animal models in a manner similar to that utilized in people. Our study aimed to develop a whole joint grading scheme for microcomputed tomography (microCT) images in Hartley guinea pigs, a strain that recapitulates joint changes highlighted in human spontaneous OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Knees from animals aged 2, 3, 5, 9, and 15 months were evaluated via whole joint microCT and standard histologic scoring. Quantitative microCT parameters, such as bone volume/total volume were also collected. RESULTS: Both whole joint microCT and histologic scores increased with advancing age and showed strong correlation (r = 0.89. p < 0.0001). Histologic scores, which focus on cartilage changes, increased progressively with age. Whole joint microCT scores, which characterize bony changes, followed a stepwise pattern: scores increased between 3 and 5 months of age, stayed consistent between 5 and 9 months, and worsened again between 9 and 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides data that advocates the use of a whole joint microCT scoring system in guinea pig studies of OA, as it provides important information regarding bony changes that occur at a different rate than articular cartilage changes. This grading scheme, in conjunction with histology and quantitative microCT measurements, may enhance the translational value of this animal model as it pertains to human work.

Bone loss over 1 year of training and competition in female cyclists.

OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in hip, spine, and tibia bone characteristics in female cyclists over the course of 1 year of training. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Female cyclists (n = 14) aged 26-41 years with at least 1 year of competition history and intent to compete in 10 or more races in the coming year. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Women who train and compete in road cycling as their primary sport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total body fat-free and fat mass and lumbar spine and proximal femur areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) assessments by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Volumetric BMD and BMC of the tibia were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography at sites corresponding to 4%, 38%, 66%, and 96% of tibia length. Time points were baseline and after 12 months of training and competition. RESULTS: Weight and body composition did not change significantly over 12 months. Total hip aBMD and BMC decreased by -1.4% ± 1.9% and -2.1% ± 2.3% (P < 0.02) and subtrochanter aBMD and BMC decreased by -2.1% ± 2.0% and -3.3% ± 3.7% (P < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in lumbar spine BMC (-1.1% ± 1.9%; P = 0.03). There were no significant bone changes in the tibia (P > 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Bone loss in female cyclists was site specific and similar in magnitude to losses previously reported in male cyclists. Research is needed to understand the mechanisms for bone loss in cyclists.

Hormone responses to an acute bout of low intensity blood flow restricted resistance exercise in college-aged females.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the acute hormone response to exercise differed between low intensity blood flow restricted resistance exercise and traditional high-intensity resistance exercise in college-aged women. A total of 13 healthy women (aged 18-25 yrs), who were taking oral contraceptives, volunteered for this randomized crossover study. Subjects performed a session of low intensity blood flow restricted resistance exercise (BFR) (20% of 1-RM, 1 set 30 reps, 2 sets 15 reps) and a session of traditional high intensity resistance exercise without blood flow restriction (HI) (3 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of 1-RM) on separate days. Fasting serum cortisol and growth hormone (GH) and blood lactate responses were measured in the morning pre and post exercise sessions. GH (Change: HI: 6.34 ± 1.72; BFR: 4.22 ± 1.40 ng·mL(-1)) and cortisol (Change: HI: 4.46 ± 1.53; BFR: 8.10 ± 2.30 ug·dL(-1)) significantly (p < 0.05) increased immediately post exercise for both protocols compared to baseline and there were no significant differences between the protocols for these responses. In contrast, blood lactate levels (HI: 7.35 ± 0.45; BFR: 4.02 ± 0.33 mmol·L(-1)) and ratings of perceived exertion were significantly (p < 0.01) higher for the HI protocol. In conclusion, acute BFR restricted resistance exercise stimulated similar increases in anabolic and catabolic hormone responses in young women. Key PointsGrowth hormone and cortisol levels significantly increased after a single bout of low intensity blood flow restricted resistance exercise in young women.There were no significant differences in hormone responses between the low intensity blood flow restricted protocol and the traditional high intensity higher total workload protocol.Low intensity blood flow restricted resistance exercise provides a sufficient stimulus to elicit anabolic and catabolic hormone responses in young women.

Sex-specific effects of Fat-1 transgene on bone material properties, size, and shape in mice.

Western diets are becoming increasingly common around the world. Western diets have high omega 6 (ω-6) and omega 3 (ω-3) fatty acids and are linked to bone loss in humans and animals. Dietary fats are not created equal; therefore, it is vital to understand the effects of specific dietary fats on bone. We aimed to determine how altering the endogenous ratios of ω-6:ω-3 fatty acids impacts bone accrual, strength, and fracture toughness. To accomplish this, we used the Fat-1 transgenic mice, which carry a gene responsible for encoding a ω-3 fatty acid desaturase that converts ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids. Male and female Fat-1 positive mice (Fat-1) and Fat-1 negative littermates (WT) were given either a high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) at 4 wk of age for 16 wk. The Fat-1 transgene reduced fracture toughness in males. Additionally, male BMD, measured from DXA, decreased over the diet duration for HFD mice. In males, neither HFD feeding nor the presence of the Fat-1 transgene impacted cortical geometry, trabecular architecture, or whole-bone flexural properties, as detected by main group effects. In females, Fat-1-LFD mice experienced increases in BMD compared to WT-LFD mice; however, cortical area, distal femur trabecular thickness, and cortical stiffness were reduced in Fat-1 mice compared to pooled WT controls. However, reductions in stiffness were caused by a decrease in bone size and were not driven by changes in material properties. Together, these results demonstrate that the endogenous ω-6:ω-3 fatty acid ratio influences bone material properties in a sex-dependent manner. In addition, Fat-1 mediated fatty acid conversion was not able to mitigate the adverse effects of HFD on bone strength and accrual.

Age and sex differences in estimated tibia strength: influence of measurement site.

Variability in peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) measurement sites and outcome variables limit direct comparisons of results between studies. Furthermore, it is unclear what estimates of bone strength are most indicative of changes due to aging, disease, or interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine age and sex differences in estimates of tibia strength. An additional purpose of this study was to determine which tibia site or sites are most sensitive for detecting age and sex differences in tibia strength. Self-identifying Caucasian men (n=55) and women (n=59) aged 20-59yr had their tibias measured with pQCT from 5% to 85% of limb length in 10% increments distal to proximal. Bone strength index, strength strain index (SSI), moments of inertia (Ip, Imax, and Imin), and strength-to-mass ratios (polar moment of inertia to total bone mineral content [BMC] ratio [Ip:Tot.BMC] and strength strain index to total BMC ratio [SSI:Tot.BMC]) were quantified. There were significant (p<0.01) site effects for all strength variables and strength-to-mass ratios. Site×sex interaction effects were significant (p<0.05) for all strength variables. Men had greater (p<0.01) values than women for all strength variables. Sex differences in Ip, Imax, Ip:Tot.BMC, SSI, and SSI:Tot.BMC ratios were the smallest at the 15% site and peaked at various sites, depending on variable. Site×age interactions existed for Imax, Ip:Tot.BMC, and SSI:Tot.BMC. There were significant age effects, Imax, Ip:Tot.BMC, and SSI:Tot.BMC, as values were the lowest in the 20-29 age group. Age and sex differences varied by measurement site and variable, and larger sex differences existed for moments of inertia than SSI. Strength-to-mass ratios may reflect efficiency of the whole bone architecture.

Acute bone marker responses to whole-body vibration and resistance exercise in young women.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) augments the musculoskeletal effects of resistance exercise (RE). However, its acute effects on bone turnover markers (BTM) have not been determined. This study examined BTM responses to acute high-intensity RE and high-intensity RE with WBV (WBV+RE) in young women (n=10) taking oral contraceptives in a randomized, crossover repeated measures design. WBV+RE exposed subjects to 5 one-minute bouts of vibration (20 Hz, 3.38 peak-peak displacement, separated by 1 min of rest) before RE. Fasting blood samples were obtained before (Pre), immediately after WBV (PostVib), immediately after RE (IP), and 30-min after RE (P30). Bone alkaline phosphatase did not change at any time point. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b significantly increased (p<0.05) from the Pre to PostVib, then decreased from IP to P30 for both conditions. C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) significantly decreased (p<0.05) from Pre to PostVib and from Pre to P30 only for WBV+RE. WBV+RE showed a greater decrease in CTX than RE (-12.6% ± 4.7% vs -1.13% ± 3.5%). In conclusion, WBV was associated with acute decreases in CTX levels not elicited with RE alone in young women.

Differences in tibia morphology between the sound and affected sides in ankle-foot orthosis-using survivors of stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in tibia and proximal femur morphology between the affected and sound limbs in ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)-using survivors of stroke. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: A university bone density laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Ambulatory, AFO-using survivors of stroke (N=9; age range, 55-74y; poststroke duration, 13.5±4.4y; AFO use, 6.5±1.4y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total body and hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The 4%, 38%, and 66% sites of both tibias were measured with peripheral quantitative computed tomography for total, cortical, and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) and BMC. Bone geometry, bone strength index (BSI), strength strain index (SSI), and minimum and maximum rotated moments of inertia (Imin, Imax) were determined. RESULTS: Total hip and trochanter BMC and aBMD were 7% to 19% greater on the sound side (P<.05). Total BMC and vBMD were 2% to 21% greater (P<.05) on the sound limb, depending on site. Trabecular BMC and vBMD and BSI values were 19%, 21%, and 31% higher (P<.05) on the sound limb at the 4% site. Cortical BMC and vBMD (P<.05), and cortical thickness (P<.01) were greater on the sound side at the 38% and 66% sites. Cortical area and bone strength (SSI, Imin) were greater (P<.05) at the 66% site. Endosteal circumferences were greater on the affected side (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Interlimb differences in bone characteristics after a stroke persist despite returning to ambulatory status with AFO use.

Effects of cuff width on arterial occlusion: implications for blood flow restricted exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in cuff pressure which occludes arterial blood flow for two different types of cuffs which are commonly used in blood flow restriction (BFR) research. Another purpose of the study was to determine what factors (i.e., leg size, blood pressure, and limb composition) should be accounted for when prescribing the restriction cuff pressure for this technique. One hundred and sixteen (53 males, 63 females) subjects visited the laboratory for one session of testing. Mid-thigh muscle (mCSA) and fat (fCSA) cross-sectional area of the right thigh were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Following the mid-thigh scan, measurements of leg circumference, ankle brachial index, and brachial blood pressure were obtained. Finally, in a randomized order, arterial occlusion pressure was determined using both narrow and wide restriction cuffs applied to the most proximal portion of each leg. Significant differences were observed between cuff type and arterial occlusion (narrow: 235 (42) mmHg vs. wide: 144 (17) mmHg; p = 0.001, Cohen's D = 2.52). Thigh circumference or mCSA/fCSA with ankle blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, explained the most variance in the cuff pressure required to occlude arterial flow. Wide BFR cuffs restrict arterial blood flow at a lower pressure than narrow BFR cuffs, suggesting that future studies account for the width of the cuff used. In addition, we have outlined models which indicate that restrictive cuff pressures should be largely based on thigh circumference and not on pressures previously used in the literature.

Reliability of the one-repetition maximum test based on muscle group and gender.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of muscle group location and gender on the reliability of assessing the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. Thirty healthy males (n = 15) and females (n = 15) who experienced at least 3 months of continuous resistance training during the last 2 years aged 18-35 years volunteered to participate in the study. The 1RM for the biceps curl, lat pull down, bench press, leg curl, hip flexion, triceps extension, shoulder press, low row, leg extension, hip extension, leg press and squat were measured twice by a trained professional using a standard published protocol. Biceps curl, lat pull down, bench press, leg curl, hip flexion, and squat 1RM's were measured on the first visit, then 48 hours later, subjects returned for their second visit. During their second visit, 1RM of triceps extension, shoulder press, low row, leg extension, hip extension, and leg press were measured. One week from the second visit, participants completed the 1 RM testing as previously done during the first and second visits. The third and fourth visits were separated by 48 hours as well. All four visits to the laboratory were at the same time of day. A high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.91) was found for all exercises, independent of gender and muscle group size or location, however there was a significant interaction for muscle group location (upper body vs. lower body) in females (p < 0.027). In conclusion, a standardized 1RM testing protocol with a short warm-up and familiarization period is a reliable measurement to assess muscle strength changes regardless of muscle group location or gender. Key pointsThe one repetition maximum (1RM) test is considered the gold standard for assessing muscle strength in non-laboratory situations.This study was done to examine the influence of muscle group location and gender on the reliability of assessing the 1RM test.The standardized 1RM testing protocol with a short warm-up and familiarization period is a reliable measurement technique to assess muscle strength changes regardless of muscle group location or gender.

Acute and Chronic Bone Marker and Endocrine Responses to Resistance Exercise With and Without Blood Flow Restriction in Young Men.

In this study, we compared acute and chronic bone marker and hormone responses to 6 weeks of low intensity (20% 1RM) blood flow restriction (BFR20) resistance training to high intensity (70% 1RM) traditional resistance training (TR70) and moderate intensity (45% 1RM) traditional resistance training (TR45) in young men (18-35 years). Participants were randomized to one of the training groups or to a control group (CON). The following training programs were performed 3 days per week for 6 weeks for knee extension and knee flexion exercises: BFR20, 20%1RM, 4 sets (30, 15, 15, 15 reps) wearing blood flow restriction cuffs around the proximal thighs; TR70, 70% 1RM 3 sets 10 reps; and TR45, 45% 1RM 3 sets 15 reps. Muscle strength and thigh cross-sectional area were assessed at baseline, between week 3 and 6 of training. Acute bone marker (Bone ALP, CTX-I) and hormone (testosterone, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, cortisol) responses were assessed at weeks 1 and 6, with blood collection done in the morning after an overnight fast. The main findings were that the acute bone formation marker (Bone ALP) showed significant changes for TR70 and BFR20 but there was no difference between weeks 1 and 6. TR70 had acute increases in testosterone, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 (weeks 1 and 6). BFR20 had significant acute increases in testosterone (weeks 1 and 6) and in IGF-1 at week 6, while TR45 had significant acute increases in testosterone (week 1), IGF-1 (week 6), and IGFBP-3 (week 6). Strength and muscle size gains were similar for the training groups. In conclusion, low intensity BFR resistance training was effective for stimulating acute bone formation marker and hormone responses, although TR70 showed the more consistent hormone responses than the other training groups.

Femoral neck structural properties are altered in adults with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To determine differences in hip geometry in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared with healthy adults without diabetes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 43 adults with T1D (mean age 56 years, 84 % female, 92 % White, mean duration of diabetes of 39 years, A1c of 7.8 %) and 40 adults without diabetes (mean age 60 years, 80 % female, 77 % white) who had hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans from previous studies were included. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and measures of hip structural properties at the narrow neck, intertrochanteric and femoral shaft regions of the left proximal femur were analyzed between adults with T1D and controls using linear models controlled for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in DXA-based aBMD at the hip (0.769 ± 0.132 vs. 0.900 ± 0.139 g/cm2, p = 0.07) or femoral neck (0.722 ± 0.116 vs. 0.849 ± 0.114 g/cm2, p = 0.09) regions between adults with T1D and controls. When controlling for age, sex, and BMI, DXA-based aBMD at the hip (0.880 ± 0.022 vs. 0.943 ± 0.020 g/cm2, p = 0.02) and femoral neck (0.750 ± 0.021 vs. 0.812 ± 0.020 g/cm2, p = 0.02) regions were significantly lower in adults with T1D than controls. Cortical thickness was significantly lower in all three hip regions in adults with T1D than in controls (narrow-neck: 0.169 ± 0.005 vs. 0.186 ± 0.005 cm, p = 0.011; intertrochanteric: 0.388 ± 0.013 vs. 0.425 ± 0.012 cm, p = 0.017; femoral shaft: 0.529 ± 0.017 vs. 0.586 ± 0.016 cm, p = 0.006). Moreover, adults with T1D had a smaller cross-sectional area at the narrow-neck (3.06 ± 0.09 vs. 3.32 ± 0.08 cm2, p = 0.015), a higher femoral shaft endocortical diameter (2.23 ± 0.07 vs. 2.02 ± 0.06 cm, p = 0.011), and higher buckling ratios (an indicator of cortical instability) at the intertrochanteric (9.22 ± 0.34 vs. 8.23 ± 0.32, p = 0.016) and femoral shaft (3.32 ± 0.15 vs. 2.89 ± 0.14, p = 0.016) regions. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with T1D have several significant differences in proximal femur morphology compared with controls. These morphological differences may adversely affect the mechanical integrity of the proximal femur, thereby contributing to an increased risk of fracture in the event of a fall.

Leptin, fat mass, and bone mineral density in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women.

The purpose was to examine relationships between age, fat mass, and bone mineral density (BMD) with resting leptin levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Young (aged 18-30 yr, n=30) and estrogen-deficient postmenopausal (aged 55-75 yr, n=43) women were recruited. Total body and segmental fat mass and bone-free lean body mass (BFLBM) and total body, lumbar spine, and proximal femur BMD were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum-resting, fasted leptin levels were measured by Immunoradiometric Assay (IRMA), and leptin-to-fat mass ratios were calculated. Young and older women had similar amounts of BFLBM, but older women had greater (p<0.05) amounts of fat mass and 35% higher leptin levels. Age differences in leptin concentrations were no longer significant after controlling for fat mass. Older women had significantly (p<0.05) lower hip BMD values. Age was negatively related (r=-0.29, p<0.05) to leptin:trunk fat ratio. Increases in fat mass, not menopause per se, contributes to higher leptin levels in older women. Relationships between leptin and BMD may be age dependent.

Hormone responses to a continuous bout of rock climbing in men.

Rock climbing is rapidly increasing in popularity as a recreational activity and as a competitive sport. Few studies have tested acute physiological responses to climbing, and no studies to date have tested hormone responses to a climbing-based workout. This study aimed to measure testosterone (T), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol (C) responses to continuous vertical climbing in young male rock climbers. Ten male rock climbers, aged between 21 and 30 years, climbed laps on a submaximal 55' climbing route for 30 min, or until exhaustion, whichever came first. Heart rate (HR) was recorded after every lap. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture before (Pre), immediately post (IP), and 15 min after the climbing exercise (P15) to assess blood lactate and plasma GH, T, and C. Subjects climbed 24.9 ± 1.9 min and 507.5 ± 82.5 feet. Peak HR was 182.1 ± 2.3 bpm, and lactate (Pre: 2.9 ± 0.6 mmol/dL, IP: 11.1 ± 1.0 mmol/dL) significantly (P < 0.05) increased from Pre to IP. T concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) increased from Pre (6.04 ± 0.31 ng/mL) to IP (7.39 ± 0.40 ng/mL) and returned to baseline at P15 (6.23 ± 0.33 ng/mL). Cortisol levels did not significantly change during the protocol. GH significantly (P < 0.01) increased from Pre (0.63 ± 0.17 ng/mL) to IP (19.89 ± 4.53 ng/mL) and remained elevated at P15 (15.03 ± 3.89 ng/mL). An acute, short-term bout of high-intensity continuous climbing was an effective exercise stimulus for elevating plasma testosterone and growth hormone levels in young males.

Effects of high-intensity resistance training and low-intensity resistance training with vascular restriction on bone markers in older men.

The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effects of different resistance training protocols on bone marker concentrations in older men. Thirty-seven healthy older male subjects were assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity resistance training (HI-RT, age = 57.5 ± 0.8); low-intensity resistance training with vascular restriction (LI-VRT, age = 59.9 ± 1.0); and control (CON, age = 57.0 ± 1.1). Blood samples were collected before and after 6 weeks of resistance training to measure the changes in bone formation [bone alkaline phosphatase, (Bone ALP)] and resorption (C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of Type-I collagen, CTX) marker concentrations. A significant main effect for time was detected in Bone ALP to CTX ratio for the exercise groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant group effect for percentage changes in serum Bone ALP (21% for LI-VRT, 23% for HI-RT, and 4.7% for CON) and post hoc analysis identified significant increases in serum Bone ALP concentrations in LI-VRT (p = 0.03) and HI-RT (p = 0.02) when compared with CON. The exercise groups had significantly (p < 0.01) greater strength increases in all upper body and leg exercises compared with CON with no significant differences between the exercise groups except for leg extension strength (HI-RT > LI-VRT, p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of Bone ALP and Bone ALP to CTX ratio improved in both resistance training protocols, suggesting increased bone turnover with a balance favoring bone formation. Therefore, despite using low mechanical load, LI-VRT is a potentially effective training alternative to traditional HI-RT for enhancing bone health in older men.