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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model
Published on: July 3, 2020
Cysteine, homocysteine and bone mineral density: a role for body composition?
Amany K Elshorbagy1, Clara Gram Gjesdal, Eha Nurk
1Department of Physiology, Le Gros Clarke Building, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University, UK. amany.elshorbagy@dpag.ox.ac.uk
Background:
Plasma total cysteine (tCys) and homocysteine (tHcy) are associated with body composition, which in turn affects bone mineral density (BMD).
Objectives:
To investigate whether associations of tCys and tHcy with BMD are mediated through body composition (fat mass and/or lean mass).
Design:
Using data from 5238 Hordaland Homocysteine Study participants, we fit multiple linear regression models and concentration-response curves to explore the relationships between tCys, tHcy, and BMD, with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI), lean mass and/or fat mass.
Results:
All associations were stronger in women. tCys was positively associated with BMD (women, partial r=0.11; men, partial r=0.07, p
Conclusion:
tHcy is inversely associated with BMD independent of body composition, while the positive association of tCys with BMD appears to be mainly mediated through fat mass.
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