Both osteoporosis and obesity are major health concerns in today’s society. These two diseases are often considered separately, however it has recently been discovered that there is some correlation between osteoporosis and obesity. The Washington University School of Medicine has performed experiments on males and females from 16 LGXSM recombinant inbred mouse strains to investigate this relationship.
It has been found that obesity related traits are evident on all human and mouse autosomes and also on X chromosomes. These genes affect body weight, leptin levels, insulin levels and BMI. It has also been found that bone properties can be affected by different genes. In mice, bone properties have been found on all chromosomes except for chromosomes 3 and 17.
From their research it was discovered that there are 18 significant genetic correlations between osteoporosis and obesity related phenotypes. This analysis also indicated that the specific gene for obesity also effects bone morphology, biomechanical and material properties. This shows genetic correlations between obesity and bone traits. These genetic correlations demonstrate that genes influencing phenotypes related to obesity and osteoporosis are most likely inherited together. Also, quantitative trait loci analysis shows potential genes which are associated with these phenotypic relationships.
An example of genes which influence the relationship between obesity and osteoporosis are two genes found on chromosome 1. These tightly-linked genes are located close to an obesity gene site which also affects the principle component that encodes growth factor binding proteins affecting bone formation. Therefore, with further research, it appears highly likely that some definite correlation between osteoporosis and obesity may be found.
It has been found that obesity related traits are evident on all human and mouse autosomes and also on X chromosomes. These genes affect body weight, leptin levels, insulin levels and BMI. It has also been found that bone properties can be affected by different genes. In mice, bone properties have been found on all chromosomes except for chromosomes 3 and 17.
From their research it was discovered that there are 18 significant genetic correlations between osteoporosis and obesity related phenotypes. This analysis also indicated that the specific gene for obesity also effects bone morphology, biomechanical and material properties. This shows genetic correlations between obesity and bone traits. These genetic correlations demonstrate that genes influencing phenotypes related to obesity and osteoporosis are most likely inherited together. Also, quantitative trait loci analysis shows potential genes which are associated with these phenotypic relationships.
An example of genes which influence the relationship between obesity and osteoporosis are two genes found on chromosome 1. These tightly-linked genes are located close to an obesity gene site which also affects the principle component that encodes growth factor binding proteins affecting bone formation. Therefore, with further research, it appears highly likely that some definite correlation between osteoporosis and obesity may be found.
Tegan Christelow
42059624
References
Article: Reich, M., Jarvis, J., Silva, M. & Cheverud, J. (2008) Genetic Relationships between Obesity and Osteoporosis in LGXSM Recombinant Inbred Mice. Genetical Research Journal. Retrieved from <http://rp.library.uq.edu.au:9797/MuseSessionID=e690a7f4d1cddf8fd0fba12ecf1b6/MuseHost=www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/MusePath/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=19061533>
Image: JoAnn, (2008) Link between obesity and bone mineral density. Medicine World. Retrieved on 9 May, 2009, from <http://medicineworld.org/news/news-archives/health-news/1883785099-Dec-9-2008.html>
Article: Reich, M., Jarvis, J., Silva, M. & Cheverud, J. (2008) Genetic Relationships between Obesity and Osteoporosis in LGXSM Recombinant Inbred Mice. Genetical Research Journal. Retrieved from <http://rp.library.uq.edu.au:9797/MuseSessionID=e690a7f4d1cddf8fd0fba12ecf1b6/MuseHost=www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/MusePath/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=19061533>
Image: JoAnn, (2008) Link between obesity and bone mineral density. Medicine World. Retrieved on 9 May, 2009, from <http://medicineworld.org/news/news-archives/health-news/1883785099-Dec-9-2008.html>
