Bone marrow metabolism is affected by body weight and response to exercise training varies according to anatomical location

Abstract

Aim: High body weight is a protective factor against osteoporosis, but obesity also suppresses bone metabolism and whole-body insulin sensitivity. However, the impact of body weight and regular training on bone marrow (BM) glucose metabolism is unclear. We studied the effects of regular exercise training on bone and BM metabolism in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for body weight. Methods: We recruited 12 monozygotic twin pairs (mean ± SD age 40.4 ± 4.5 years; body mass index 32.9 ± 7.6, mean difference between co-twins 7.6 kg/m2; eight female pairs). Ten pairs completed the 6-month long training intervention. We measured lumbar vertebral and femoral BM insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (GU) using 18F-FDG positron emission tomography, lumbar spine bone mineral density and bone turnover markers. Results: At baseline, heavier co-twins had higher lumbar vertebral BM GU (p