CRON and Bone Health

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

This seems to be encouraging:

" Energy restriction (ER) extends the life span and slows aging and

age-related diseases in short-lived mammalian species. Although a

wide variety of physiological systems have been studied using this

paradigm, little is known regarding the effects of ER on skeletal

health and reproductive aging. Studies in rhesus monkeys have

reported that ER delays sexual and skeletal maturation in young male

monkeys and reduces bone mass in adult males. No studies have

examined the chronic effects on bone health and reproductive aging in

female rhesus monkeys. The present cross-sectional study examined the

effects of chronic (6 y) ER on skeletal and reproductive indices in

40 premenopausal and perimenopausal (7–27 y old) female rhesus

macaques (Macaca mulatta). Although ER monkeys weighed less and had

lower fat mass, ER did not alter bone mineral density, bone mineral

content, osteocalcin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D or

parathyroid hormone concentrations, menstrual cycling or reproductive

hormone concentrations. Body weight and lean mass were significantly

related to bone mineral density and bone mineral content at all

skeletal sites (total body, lumbar spine, mid and distal radius; P

0.04). The number of total menstrual cycles over 2 y, as well as the

percentage of normal-length cycles (24–31 d), was lower in older than

in younger monkeys (P 0.05). Older monkeys also had lower estradiol

(P = 0.02) and higher follicle-stimulating hormone (P = 0.02)

concentrations than did younger monkeys.

We conclude that ER does not negatively affect these indices of

skeletal or reproductive health and does not alter age-associated

changes in the same variables. "

The full study can be found here:

http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/131/3/820

http://snipurl.com/8192

Rodney.