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LOS ANGELES, CA – A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC has revealed a significant link between inflammation proteins and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over time, particularly in overweight and obese Latino adolescents. The findings, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, suggest that these proteins could serve as potential biomarkers for early detection of bone health risks.
BMD, a crucial indicator of bone strength, typically peaks in young adulthood and gradually declines thereafter. This study aimed to explore the role of proteins in BMD changes during adolescence, a critical period for bone development.
The research team followed 304 overweight or obese Latino adolescents, aged 8 to 13, for an average of three years. They analyzed over 650 proteins and their associations with annual BMD measurements.
“Proteins are also substantial in the formation and maintenance of bone, and recently more studies have been trying to identify individual proteins associated with bone health,” said Emily Beglarian, lead author and epidemiology doctoral candidate at the Keck School of Medicine.
The study revealed that many proteins associated with BMD were involved in inflammatory and immune pathways. This aligns with existing research indicating that chronic inflammation can disrupt bone metabolism, leading to lower BMD.
“Our primary findings were that many of the proteins associated with BMD were involved in inflammatory and immune pathways in adolescent populations. There are other studies that found some of these same pathways were associated in older adult populations,” Beglarian explained.
This research is particularly significant as it focuses on a younger, diverse population, addressing a gap in previous studies that primarily focused on older, non-Hispanic white or Chinese adults.
“Until now, existing studies have centered on very specific populations. Most of them have small sample sizes, include either Chinese or non-Hispanic white populations, and focus on older adults—primarily on women because osteoporosis is four times more common in women than men,” Beglarian stated. “This is one of the first studies to investigate associations between proteins and BMD in younger populations. Investigating bone mineral density in the early stages of life is important to determine how to address factors that may prevent people from reaching their potential peak bone density.”
Furthermore, the researchers validated their findings in a separate cohort of young adults, reinforcing the link between specific proteins and lower BMD, a risk factor for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
The study’s findings hold promise for developing biomarkers that can identify individuals at risk for bone health issues, enabling early intervention.
“Through my research, I hope to address factors that decrease BMD earlier in life to help people get to their highest potential peak density, so they are set up over the rest of their lifetime to have a higher BMD,” Beglarian concluded.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided in the referenced study. Further research is needed to validate these findings and translate them into clinical applications. Readers should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. The provided information should not be used for diagnosis or treatment.
