Association between bone trace elements and osteoporosis in older adults: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Orthopedics
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Osteoporosis is a significant health concern, particularly in the elderly.
• Metal micronutrient deficiencies are suspected risk factors for osteoporosis development.
• Understanding the role of trace elements in bone health is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the concentrations of essential metal micronutrients in human bone tissue.
• To analyze the relationship between trace element levels and the presence of osteoporosis.
• To identify specific micronutrients that may influence osteoporosis risk.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures.
• Bone tissue samples analyzed for calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX).
• Patients categorized into osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis groups based on bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in age, sex, BMI, serum albumin, or bone turnover markers between groups.
• Significantly higher concentrations of manganese, copper, and zinc were observed in the cancellous bone of the non-osteoporosis group compared to the osteoporosis group.
• Multivariate logistic regression revealed a negative correlation between high bone zinc concentration and osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.075-0.928, p = 0.038).

Conclusions:

• Manganese, copper, and zinc are vital for bone mineralization and metabolism.
• Zinc appears to be most closely associated with osteoporosis, playing a key role in bone development and mass maintenance.
• Increasing zinc intake through supplements or nutrient-rich foods may offer a preventive and interventional strategy for osteoporosis in the elderly.