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Endogenous cortisol levels associated with lower bone mass in young men
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Men with high baseline cortisol levels that decrease in response to stress had lower bone mineral content and bone mineral density measurements than men with lower baseline cortisol levels that increase with stress, according to research in Bone.
Kun Zhu, PhD, of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands, Australia, and colleagues analyzed data from 801 offspring of participants in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) study, an extensive longitudinal survey of pregnancy and childhood initiated in 1989 (411 men). Participants underwent a Trier social stress test at age 18 years; test responses were classified as reactive (significant increase in cortisol during the test: 260 men, 200 women), anticipatory (significant decrease in cortisol during the test: 101 men, 115 women) or nonresponder (no reactive or anticipatory response: 50 men, 75 women). At age 20 years, participants had a whole-body DXA scan to measure BMD and bone mineral content, and they completed questionnaires regarding smoking, oral contraceptive use, calcium and alcohol intake, and physical activity. Blood and saliva samples were taken to measure cortisol levels.
Researchers found that men classified as anticipatory responders had 3.2% lower total-body bone mineral content and 2.5% lower total-body BMD than reactive responders. Each additional 10% of baseline plasma cortisol was associated with reductions of 6.8 g in total-body bone mineral content (95% CI, –13.2 to –0.3) and 2.2 mg/cm² in total-body BMD (95% CI, –4.2 to –0.2). In addition, each additional 10% of salivary cortisol was associated with reductions of 6.9 g in total-body bone mineral content (95% CI, –11.7 to –2.2) and 1.8 mg/cm² in total body BMD (95% CI, –3.3 to –0.4).
Researchers found no significant relationships between cortisol levels, BMD and bone mineral content in women after multivariable adjustment.
“These results suggest that in males (but not females), endogenous cortisol secretion and its response to stressful stimuli may be one of the factors contributing to peak bone mass,” the researchers wrote. “Since a 5% difference in BMD is associated with a 20% difference in the risk for osteoporotic fracture and a 50% difference in the risk for hip fracture, the magnitude of the differences observed may be clinically relevant, with implications for fracture risk later in life.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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