Association between advanced glycation end products and bone mineral density in Mexican population.

BACKGROUND

Evidence shows that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a key role in skeletal deterioration by impacting bone quality and strength. However, there is limited long-term research on their association with bone mineral density (BMD), especially among different sexes and age groups.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the longitudinal association between serum AGEs and BMD in adults, stratified by sex and age groups (<45 years and ≥45 years).

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal analysis using data from 1138 adults enrolled in the Health Workers Cohort Study, followed over a six-year period (2004-2010). BMD (g/cm2) was measured at various skeletal sites using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) and fixed-effects models were employed, stratified by sex and age group, and adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

In GEE models, a 100 μU/mL increase in AGEs was significantly associated with lower BMD at the hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine in women aged ≥45 years (β = -0.003, β = -0.004, β = -0.011, respectively). Among men ≥45 years, higher AGEs were also associated with lower BMD at the hip and femoral neck (β = -0.004 and β = -0.006, respectively). In women <45 years, AGEs were inversely associated with hip and femoral neck BMD (β = -0.003 for both). Fixed-effects models yielded consistent results, particularly among women ≥45 years. No significant associations were observed in men <45 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum AGEs levels are associated with lower BMD over time, particularly among women. These findings suggest a potential role of AGEs in bone deterioration and their relevance in clinical risk assessment.