Lisa Ceglia

Purpose: To investigate the effects of whey protein (WP; 1.5 g/kg/day) and potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3; 81 mmol/day) supplementation on bone turnover markers in healthy older adults.Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of healthy adults aged ≥65 years who participated in a 24-week randomized, 2x2 factorial, placebo-controlled study comparing WP with an isocaloric placebo-WP and KHCO3 with placebo-KHCO3 designed to evaluate muscle performance. Serum procollagen type 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), and the uncoupling index (UI, reflecting the relative balance of bone formation and resorption) were measured at baseline and 24 weeks. Between-group differences in 24-week outcomes were estimated using ANCOVA adjusted for baseline value, age, and sex.Results: Among the 117 participants (mean±SD age 73.9±5.8 years), baseline dietary protein intake was 0.85±0.33 g/kg/d, calcium intake 973.0±464.5 mg/d, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration 37.0±13.9 ng/mL and 24-hour net acid excretion 25.6±20.0 mmol/d. No statistically significant differences between WP and placebo-WP or between KHCO3 and placebo-KHCO3 were observed at 24 weeks for PINP, CTX, or UI. For WP versus placebo-WP, LS mean differences between groups at 24-weeks were -4.4 µg/L for PINP (95% CI -8.8,0.0), -0.1 ng/mL for CTX (-0.1,0.0), and 0.1 for UI (-0.1,0.4). For KHCO3 versus placebo-KHCO3, corresponding differences were -3.2 µg/L (-7.5,1.2), 0.0 ng/mL (−0.1,0.0), and -0.0 (-0.2,0.3).Conclusion: Supplementation with WP or KHCO3 for 24 weeks was not associated with differences in bone turnover markers or the uncoupling index in healthy older adults with generally adequate baseline protein and calcium intakes and vitamin D status.

Context: Preclinical studies demonstrate that treatment with calcitriol attenuates skeletal complications in mice with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). Objective: This work aimed to assess serum markers of mineral metabolism, nephrocalcinosis, skeletal microarchitecture, growth, and evidence of rickets following calcitriol monotherapy in children and adults with XLH. Methods: A 1-year, prospective, single-arm, open-label study was conducted comparing baseline and 12-month outcomes. Participants were recruited from outpatient endocrinology clinics in the United States. Data were collected in a research unit. Eligible participants were aged 4 years or older, not pregnant, with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 20 ng/mL or greater and normal serum calcium. Participants were treated with calcitriol, with dose based on serum and urinary calcium concentrations, for 1 year. The primary end points were change in serum phosphate and nephrocalcinosis (all participants) and rickets severity score (children). Secondary end points included changes in additional markers of mineral metabolism, skeletal microarchitecture parameters via high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (all participants), and height z-scores (children). Results: Serum phosphate did not change over 12 months of optimized calcitriol treatment. Rickets improved in 2 of 4 children with open epiphyses; height z-scores were unchanged. Nephrocalcinosis scores remained stable. Adults had increased cortical thickness at the radius diaphysis (P = .012). Serum alkaline phosphatase decreased in children (P = .021) and parathyroid hormone trended lower both in children (P = .065) and adults (P = .063). Four participants developed mild hypercalcemia and 2 developed hypercalciuria that resolved with calcitriol titration. Conclusion: Calcitriol monotherapy is safe and well-tolerated in XLH, with modest benefits on laboratory indices of mineral metabolism and rickets.

Obesity is known to influence the circulating 25(OH)D level but less is known about whether it influences the time required to reach a stable 25(OH)D level after initiating vitamin D supplementation. This observational study was done to investigate whether BMI modified the time required to reach a steady-state 25(OH)D level in response to vitamin D supplementation. Participants in the Boston STOP IT study who were treated for 12 mo with 700 IU of vitamin D3 and 500 mg of calcium daily and had 25(OH)D measures at 0, 6, and 12 mo, were included. We assessed the trajectory of 25(OH)D levels by baseline BMI category (normal weight, BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 62; overweight and obese, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, n = 105). Baseline 25(OH)D levels were 78 ± 31.3 nmol/L (normal weight) and 74.7 ± 36.5 nmol/L (overweight and obese). In a linear mixed model examining the influence of time and baseline BMI category on change in the mean 25(OH)D level, there was a significant time x BMI group interaction (p = .024. The normal weight participants had reached steady-state 25(OH)D levels by 6 mo whereas 25(OH)D levels continued to rise between 6 and 12 mo in the overweight and obese participants. This analysis suggests that the time required to reach a steady-state 25(OH)D level after initiating vitamin D supplementation in overweight and obese adults is greater than the usual 3-mo time point commonly used in clinical practice. A more refined definition of the time course of circulating 25(OH)D response to supplementation is needed in overweight and obese individuals in order to optimize clinical monitoring of vitamin D status.

We thank Wagner et al for their keen interest in our case report (1, 2). We appreciate their discussion delving into the intricate understanding of the und

Lifestyle programs that reduce health risks and support weight loss (WL) in older adults face adherence and attendance challenges due to reduced energy requirements, impaired mobility, lack of transportation, and low social support. Tailored lifestyle and weight management programs are needed to better support healthy aging for older adults. Here, we developed and piloted an age-adapted, remotely delivered modification of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The modification includes age-appropriate goals, visuals, and examples; flexible dietary composition; remote classroom and fitness-monitoring technology; and standardized online classroom materials employing pedagogical and behavior change theory. The modifications were designed to safeguard fidelity and to boost adherence, engagement, and knowledge integration, with the convenience of a fully remote WL program for diverse older adults. Six-month pilot data are presented from older adults (55–85 years, body mass index (BMI) 27–39.9 kg/m², N = 20) randomly allocated to an online DPP intervention with weight, diet, and activity monitored remotely, or into a waitlisted control. The intervention achieved 100% attendance and adherence to self-monitoring. The intervention group mean (±SD) body weight change was −9.5% (±4.1); 90% lost ≥ 5%. By contrast, the control group gained 2.4% (±1.8). Once thought incompatible with older adults, remote interventions are feasible for older adults and can support fidelity, adherence, engagement, and clinically significant WL. Standardized materials are provided for future implementation.

Older adults with obesity have an increased risk for cognitive decline and subsequent Alzheimer’s disease. Previous research has focused on the impact of individual nutrients and overall dietary patterns to improve cognitive function. The Brain and Body Health (BB-Health) study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a multicomponent nutritional supplement (MCNS) and weight loss (WL) intervention for individuals with overweight and obesity who are not consuming a healthy diet. BB-Health is a parallel-group randomized placebo-controlled 2x2 factorial pilot trial comparing the MCNS, WL, and MCNS+WL with a Control group. Eligible participants are 55 to 85 years of age with a body mass index 27.0 to 39.9 kg/m2. Major exclusion criteria include type 2 diabetes, moderate or severe cognitive impairment, and self-reported healthy dietary pattern. The BB-Health feasibility trial is registered as NCT05542199 at clinicaltrials.gov. The BB-Health objectives are to report: 1) recruitment and enrollment, including pace and descriptive statistics of the study sample; 2) adherence to the administered interventions; 3) successful data collection and performance of outcome assessments, including evaluation of change in key outcomes over time that are powered for this pilot study; and 4) summary statistics on outcomes for use in planning a subsequent, larger trial. The outcomes of interest are age-sensitive cognitive assessments, cerebral hemodynamics, and related health parameters. All measurements are collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month visits. If the BB-Health protocol demonstrates feasibility, the novel MCNS with and without a parallel WL intervention has potential to be administered in a confirmatory randomized trial to evaluate ability to prevent age-related cognitive decline and improve brain health. The BB-Health Feasibility Study could significantly contribute to our understanding of the influence of diet and weight management on cognitive health

Background: Data suggest an association between GH secretion and circulating levels of the myokine irisin and inflammatory cytokinesIL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The impact of GH secretagogues on these markers is unknown. Objectives: To determine the effect of treatment with the GH secretagogue anamorelin on 12-month changes in serum irisin, IL-6, and hsCRP levels and to assess whether baseline irisin levels modulate the glycemic response to treatment with anamorelin. Methods: This is an ancillary study in 26 older adults with osteosarcopenia who participated in a 12-month trial examining the effect of anamorelin 100 mg/day vs placebo on musculoskeletal outcomes. Serum irisin, IL-6, and hsCRP were measured at baseline and 12 months. Results: Treatment with anamorelin, compared with placebo, did not significantly alter irisin levels [12-month change = 0.50 ± 1.2 (SD) ng/mL in anamorelin group and −0.08 ± 2.3 ng/mL in placebo; P = .191]. Baseline irisin levels were not significantly correlated with 2-month change in fasting glucose levels in the anamorelin group (r = −0.222, P = .46) or the placebo group (r = 0.30, P = .34); however, the slopes of the 2 regression lines describing the relationship by group tended to differ (P = .0547). Anamorelin treatment for 12 months had no significant effect on serum IL-6 or hsCRP levels. Conclusion: In this small sample of older adults with osteosarcopenia, treatment with the GH secretagogue anamorelin did not significantly alter levels of irisin, IL-6, or hsCRP. Higher baseline irisin levels may attenuate the glycemic response to anamorelin treatment; however, a larger study is needed to confirm this possibility.

Context Anamorelin, a ghrelin receptor agonist known to stimulate the pulsatile release of GH from the pituitary, has the potential to improve musculoskeletal health in adults with osteosarcopenia. Objective To determine the effect of anamorelin treatment for 1 year on muscle mass and strength and on biochemical markers of bone turnover in adults with osteosarcopenia (OS). Design Randomized, placebo-controlled, 1-year anamorelin intervention trial Setting The Bone Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA Nutrition Center at Tufts University. Participants 26 men and women, age 50 years and older, with OS. Main outcome measures Muscle mass by D₃-creatine dilution and lean body mass (LBM) and bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle strength, serum IGF-1, and bone turnover markers, serum procollagen 1 intact N-terminal (P1NP), and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX). Results Anamorelin did not have a significant effect on muscle mass or LBM; it significantly increased knee flexion torque at 240°/s by 20% (P = .013) and had a similar nonstatistically significant effect on change in knee extension; it increased bone formation (P1NP) by 75% (P = .006) and had no significant effect on bone resorption (CTX) or BMD. Serum IGF-1 increased by 50% in the anamorelin group and did not change in the placebo group (P = .0001 for group difference). Conclusion In this pilot study, anamorelin did not significantly alter muscle mass; however, it may potentially improve lower extremity strength and bone formation in addition to increasing circulating IGF-1 levels in adults with OS. Further study of anamorelin in this population is warranted.