Related Experiment Videos

Lipid levels: a link between cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis?

Petra J Buizert1, Natasja M van Schoor, Paul Lips

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Section Endocrinology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
|December 31, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels, beneficial for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, were linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD). This suggests a complex relationship between lipids and osteoporosis risk.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Bone Metabolism

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies suggest a link between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and osteoporosis.
  • Cholesterol has been implicated as a potential mediator in this association.
  • The relationship between serum lipids and bone mineral density (BMD) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum lipid profiles and BMD of the calcaneus.
  • To determine if lipid profiles favorable for CVD prevention are also favorable for bone health.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional population-based study using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.
  • Inclusion of 620 men and 635 women aged 65-88 years.
  • BMD measurement using quantitative ultrasound (QUS), assessing velocity of sound (VOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), with adjustments for multiple covariates.

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between total cholesterol (TC) and QUS.
  • Higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were significantly associated with lower QUS in both men and women.
  • A stronger positive association was observed between the TC/HDL-c ratio and QUS in both sexes.

Conclusions:

  • The lipid profile optimal for CVD prevention (high HDL-c, low TC/HDL-c ratio) appears unfavorable for calcaneal BMD.
  • High HDL-c levels may not explain the observed association between osteoporosis and CVD.
  • These findings highlight a potential dichotomy in the role of lipids concerning cardiovascular and bone health.

Related Concept Videos

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...