Rapid Transition from a High-Fat, High-Fructose to a Low-Fat, Low-Fructose Diet Reverses Gains in Bone Mass and Strength. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • PURPOSE: Obesity is thought to negatively impact bone quality and strength despite improving bone mineral density. We hypothesized that 1) continuous consumption of a high-fat, high-sugar (HFS) diet would impair bone quality and strength, and 2) a change from an HFS diet to a low-fat, low-sugar (LFS) would reverse HFS-induced impairments to bone quality and strength. METHODS: Six-week-old male C57Bl/6 mice ( n = 10/group) with access to a running wheel were randomized to an LFS diet or an HFS diet with simulated sugar-sweetened beverages (20% fructose in place of regular drinking water) for 13 wk. HFS mice were subsequently randomized to continuing HFS feeding (HFS/HFS) or transition to the LFS diet (HFS/LFS) for four additional weeks. RESULTS: HFS/HFS mice exhibited superior femoral cancellous microarchitecture (i.e., greater BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, and decreased Tb.Sp) and cortical bone geometry (i.e., lower Ct.CSA and pMOI) compared with all other groups. At the femoral mid-diaphysis, structural, but not material, mechanical properties were greatest in HFS/HFS mice. However, HFS/HFS exhibited greater femoral neck strength only when compared with mice assigned to diet transition (HFS/LFS). Osteoclast surface and the percentage of osteocytes staining positive for interferon-gamma were greater in HFS/LFS mice, consistent with reduced cancellous microarchitecture postdiet transition. CONCLUSIONS: HFS feeding enhanced bone anabolism and structural, but not material, mechanical properties in exercising mice. A change from an HFS to LFS diet returned the bone structure to that of continuously LFS-fed mice while compromising strength. Our results indicate rapid weight loss from obese states should be performed with caution to prevent bone fragility. A deeper analysis into the altered bone phenotype in diet-induced obesity from a metabolic standpoint is needed.

published proceedings

  • Med Sci Sports Exerc

author list (cited authors)

  • Little-Letsinger, S. E., Letsinger, A. C., Elizondo, J. P., Breidenbach, B. M., Hogan, H. A., Lightfoot, J. T., & Bloomfield, S. A.

complete list of authors

  • Little-Letsinger, Sarah E||Letsinger, Ayland C||Elizondo, Jon P||Breidenbach, Brianne M||Hogan, Harry A||Lightfoot, J Timothy||Bloomfield, Susan A

publication date

  • October 2023