Genetic risk scores are related to bone microarchitecture in US Army basic training

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Genetics
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• US Army trainees often have vitamin D deficiency and bone stress injuries.
• The role of genetic variations in skeletal adaptation and injury risk during training is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between genetic risk scores (GRS) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to vitamin D and bone health with tibial bone microarchitecture in trainees.
• To determine if these genetic factors influence bone changes during basic combat training (BCT).

Main Methods:

• High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scans of the distal tibia were performed on 2,550 trainees before and after 10 weeks of BCT.
• Evaluated GRS and SNPs including VDR, DBP, 25-OHD-GRS, Adult-GRS, Fracture-GRS, Pediatric-GRS, WNT-GRS, RANK-GRS, and Mes-GRS.
• Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and 25-OHD concentration were used.

Main Results:

• 47 significant associations were found after multiple testing correction.
• Adult-GRS, Fracture-GRS, Pediatric-GRS, RANK-GRS, and WNT-GRS were associated with various aspects of tibial bone microarchitecture (e.g., vBMD, trabecular and cortical microstructure).
• No associations were observed between vitamin D-related GRS/SNPs and bone microarchitecture or changes during BCT.

Conclusions:

• Genetic risk scores associated with bone density and remodeling pathways are linked to baseline tibial bone microarchitecture in young adults.
• Vitamin D-related genetic factors did not show associations with tibial microarchitecture in this cohort during BCT.
• Genetic predisposition may influence bone structure independently of vitamin D status in the context of military training.