Obesity-related changes in bone structural and material properties in hyperphagic OLETF rats and protection by...

To examine how the development of obesity and the associated insulin resistance affect bone structural and material properties, and bone formation and resorption markers in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat model.

This was a 36-week study of sedentary, hyperphagic, male OLETF rats (OLETF-SED), exercise-treated OLETF rats (OLETF-EX) and sedentary non-hyperphagic controls (LETO-SED) with data collection at 13, 20, and 40 weeks of age (n = 5-8 animals per group per timepoint).

Body mass and fat (%) were significantly greater in OLETF-SED versus controls. OLETF-SED were insulin resistant at 13 and 20 weeks, with overt diabetes by 40 weeks. At 13weeks, OLETF-SED had lower total body BMC and BMD and serum P1NP compared with LETO-SED. Differences in total body BMC and BMD between OLETF-SED and LETO-SED persisted at 20 weeks, with reductions in total and cortical BMD of the tibia. OLETF-SED also had lesser femur diameter, cross-sectional area, polar moment of area, and torque at fracture than LETO-SED. By 40 weeks, OLETF-SED had elevated bone resorption and reduced intrinsic bone strength. OLETF-EX did not show the excessive weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance or diabetes observed in OLETF-SED. OLETF-EX had greater BMD than OLETF-SED, and structural and material properties of the femur were significantly increased in OLETF-EX relative to OLETF-SED and LETO-SED.

The negative skeletal effects of excessive adiposity and insulin resistance were evident early in the progressive obesity with lasting negative impacts on intrinsic and extrinsic bone strength. Exercise protected against obesity-associated skeletal changes with marked benefits on the biomechanical properties of bone.