The relationship between adipokines, body composition, and bone density in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Osteoporosis is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data regarding the relationship between adipokines and bone mineral density (BMD) in this population is lacking. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine associations between the adipokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), leptin, adiponectin and resistin, body composition, and BMD in men with severe COPD. This was a cross-sectional study of men with severe COPD who visited the University of Colorado Hospital COPD Center. Bone density and parameters of body composition were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Twenty-three men were included (mean age = 66 years, mean percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second = 32%). On bivariate analysis, there was no association between TNF-alpha and BMD. Parameters of body composition and serum concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were significantly associated with total hip and spine bone density. However, with partial correlation analysis, total body mass was the only independent predictor of total hip BMD, explaining approximately 50% of the variability. Overall, 18 out of 23 men enrolled (78%) had low bone density by T-score, and nine (39%) were classified as having osteoporosis. The men with osteoporosis had lower parameters of body composition, lower mean serum leptin concentrations, and a greater impairment in measures of lung function compared to the men without osteoporosis. We conclude that the effect of adipokines on BMD does not appear to be independent of body mass. However, larger studies are needed to further evaluate the relationship between adipokines, body weight, and BMD in patients with COPD.

Introduction

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at high risk for developing osteoporosis with a reported incidence ranging from 36%–60%.1–4 Osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip and spine increase pain and disability, reduce quality of life, and can increase the risk for death by 2–3-fold.5,6 In addition to factors that increase the risk for osteoporosis in the general population (eg, family history), there are several factors specific to patients with COPD that increase their risk for bone loss and fractures. A long history of cigarette smoking is the primary cause for the development of COPD in up to 80%–90% of patients and smoking is considered an independent risk factor for the development of osteoporosis.7–11 Patients with COPD are frequently treated with systemic corticosteroids, which have been associated with significant and rapid increases in bone loss and fracture risk when used chronically.12–14 The increased risk for osteoporosis in patients with COPD cannot be completely explained by corticosteroid use as several cross-sectional studies have demonstrated low bone mineral density (BMD) and high fracture rates in patients with COPD not receiving systemic corticosteroids.1,3,15–18 Impaired lung function (as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) has been shown to be an independent predictor of osteoporosis in several cross-sectional studies of patients with and without COPD.19–25 The extent of pulmonary emphysema has also been demonstrated to have a significant negative correlation with BMD.26 As the severity of COPD worsens, dyspnea can limit a patient’s mobility. This may lead to significant disability, deconditioning, and lack of physical activity, which has been associated with bone loss and increased fracture risk.27

Low body weight and weight loss are well documented predictors of bone loss and independent predictors of increased fracture risk.28–31 Approximately 35%–60% of patients with moderate to severe COPD have a low body mass index (BMI) or evidence of weight loss.32 In several cross-sectional studies, a low BMI was the only factor independently correlated with osteoporosis risk in patients with COPD.3,15,17,33–36 Therefore, body weight appears to play an important role in osteoporosis risk in patients with COPD.

Patients with COPD have an increased risk for osteoporosis. While many underlying factors contribute to this process, they do not completely explain the increased risk. One area that deserves further investigation is the role of adipokines in the development osteoporosis in this population. Adipose tissue produces and releases substances called adipokines which include tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), leptin, adiponectin, and resistin.37 It has been hypothesized that the effect of body weight on BMD might be mediated through the effects of these adipokines on bone remodeling.38 Several studies have demonstrated associations between adipokines and BMD in various patient populations with conflicting results.39–50 Studies of adipokines in patients with COPD are limited and to our knowledge, no published studies have evaluated the relationship between TNF-α, leptin, adiponectin or resistin and BMD in patients with COPD. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the relationship between adipokines, body composition and BMD in men with severe, stable COPD.

Materials and methods

Study objectives

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between TNF-α and its receptors tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-1 and TNFR-2 and total hip and lumbar spine BMD in men with severe COPD. The secondary objectives were (1) to evaluate the relationship between leptin, adiponectin, and resistin and total hip and lumbar spine BMD, (2) to evaluate the relationship between TNF-α, TNFR-1, TNFR-2, leptin, adiponectin and resistin and body composition, and (3) to compare clinical characteristics, parameters of body composition, pulmonary function, and adipokine levels in men with severe COPD who have osteoporosis and osteopenia or normal bone density.

Patients

This was a cross-sectional pilot study. Patients meeting inclusion criteria were recruited from the University of Colorado Hospital COPD Center. The study was approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Patients were included in the study if they were male, between the age of 45 to 89 years, had severe COPD defined as the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.70 and FEV1 postbronchodilator <50% predicted and their COPD had been clinically stable for the last two months. Clinically stable COPD was defined as no record of pulmonary infections, COPD exacerbations, or change in COPD-related medications within the last two months. Patients were excluded if they had a history of asthma or significant bronchodilator reversibility; diagnosis of systolic heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction <45%); chronic kidney disease (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60ml/min for >3 months); current infection; human immunodeficiency virus; pulmonary infection within the last two months; significant liver impairment (defined by elevations in aminotransferases of 2 × upper limit of normal); a history of collagen vascular, rheumatologic, neoplastic or thyroid disorders; untreated hypogonadism, or any underlying cause for metabolic bone disease; treatment with drugs known to alter bone metabolism including: bisphosphonates, teriparatide, or calcitonin; treatment with drugs known to alter TNF-α concentrations (eg, pentoxifylline, melatonin); and a history of continuous oral corticosteroid use (defined as continuous administration for three or more weeks) within the previous two years. A history of inhaled corticosteroid use or short bursts of oral corticosteroids for <3 weeks were permitted.

Study visits

Patients were required to attend two study visits. The first visit took place at the University of Colorado Hospital COPD Center where subjects underwent a brief interview, a urine sample was collected, and venous blood samples were drawn. The second visit took place at the University Of Colorado Clinical Nutrition Research Unit Energy Balance Lab where body composition and bone density were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Data collection

The following information was collected from the patient’s medical record: age, race/ethnicity, average number of COPD exacerbations per year (based on data within the last two years), smoking history (current or past and pack-years), past medical history, current medications, oxygen use, most recent six-minute walk test data and full pulmonary function test results conducted during stable disease (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide [DLCO], residual volume [RV], total lung capacity [TLC], thoracic gas volume [TGV]).

All patients were interviewed by a study investigator at the first study visit regarding risk factors for osteoporosis including: family history of osteoporosis, calcium and vitamin D intake (daily supplements and dietary intake), and personal history of fracture. Data collected from the medical record was clarified with the patient during the interview (eg, past medical history, smoking history, current medications).

Collection and analysis of blood samples

Venous blood samples were collected into three serum separator tubes by the University of Colorado Hospital clinical laboratory phlebotomist. Due to the timing of the COPD clinic visits, patients were not required to fast prior to the blood draw. Two serum separator tubes were sent to the University of Colorado Hospital clinical laboratory for immediate analysis of total testosterone, estradiol, osteocalcin (biomarker for bone formation), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD). Total testosterone was measured by chemiluminescence using the Beckman-Coulter Access Immunoassay System (Fullerton, CA), reference range 200–850 ng/dL; 25-OHD was measured by chemiluminescence using Nichols Institute Diagnostic (San Juan Capistrano, CA), reference range 9–57 ng/mL; estradiol was measured by chemiluminescence using the Beckman-Coulter Access Immunoassay System (Fullerton, CA), male reference range 20–75 pg/mL, and osteocalcin was measured by DiaSorin competitive radioimmunoassay (Stillwater, MN), reference range 1.1–10.8 ng/mL.

The other serum separator tubes were used for batch analysis of TNF-α, TNFR-1, TNFR-2, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. Within one hour of collection, the serum was separated from blood cells by centrifugation at 1,000 × g for 15 minutes. It was harvested with sterile transfer pipettes, aliquotted into 0.5 ml serum tubes and immediately stored at −80 °C. Serum TNF-α, TNFR-1, TNFR-2, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin concentrations were measured in duplicate with enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits (Quantikine HS and Quantikine; R&D Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, MN). The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficient of variations for these tests are as follows TNF-α = 5.3%–8.8% and 10.8%–16.7%, TNFR-1 = 3.6%–5.0% and 3.7%–8.8%, TNFR-2 = 2.6%–4.8% and 3.5%–5.1%, leptin = 3.0%–3.3% and 3.5%–5.4%, adiponectin = 2.5%–4.7% and 5.8%–6.8%, and resistin = 3.8%–5.3% and 7.8%–9.2%, respectively.

Measurement of urinary NTX

Urinary N-telopeptide (NTX), an important biomarker for bone turnover, was obtained in all patients. On enrollment, all subjects were given a sterile specimen cup and instructed to collect a single second-morning void urine sample the day of the first study visit. Subjects were instructed to keep the urine sample refrigerated until the time of the study visit. This urine sample was sent to the University of Colorado Hospital clinical laboratory for determination of NTX, which was measured by ELISA (Ostex International Inc., Seattle, WA) and expressed as a ratio to urinary creatinine concentrations. Normal adult male reference range = 20–83 nmol BCE/mmol creatinine.

Measurement of BMD and body composition

Whole body composition, and BMD of the lumbar spine (L1–4), total hip, femoral neck and total body were measured by DXA using the Hologic Delphi W densitometer (Hologic Corp, Waltham, MA). Subjects were scanned in light clothing while lying in the supine position. The precision of BMD measurements using this instrument was <1.5% and the standard deviations for repeated measurements of fat free mass and fat mass was 0.5 kg. Prior to the scan, height was measured to the nearest 0.5 centimeters using a wall-mounted stadiometer with the patient in their bare feet, and weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg with subjects barefoot and in light clothing. The weight in kg divided by height in meters2 was used to calculate BMI.

Statistical analysis

Data are presented as means ± standard deviations. P values less than 0.05 are considered statistically significant. Adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and total body mass were log-transformed to normalize distribution. Pearson’s Correlation Test was performed to evaluate for potential relationships. For the secondary analyses, covariates were chosen based on a significant relationship with total hip BMD (P < 0.05). Collinear variables were eliminated using a cluster analysis. Partial correlation analysis was performed on the selected covariates with total hip BMD as the dependent variable and adjusting for total body mass. Patients were divided into groups according to the presence or absence of osteoporosis based on T-score and history of low trauma fracture. Continuous variables were compared between patient groups using the Wilcoxon test. Nominal data were compared using Chi-square or Fischer’s exact test. Pearson’s correlation test was performed using GraphPad Prism 4 software (San Diego, CA). All other statistical analyses were performed using R Statistical Package, Version 2.4.1 (http://www.r-project.org).

Results

Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Two patients were excluded. One patient died prior to completing the study and one patient was excluded after completing the study due to a reported history of childhood asthma, and pulmonary function testing that revealed significant reversibility and a normal diffusion capacity. Twenty-three patients are included in this analysis.

The general characteristics of the entire study population are presented in Table 1. All patients were Caucasian. The mean age was 66 (8.7) years and the mean FEV1 was 32% (11) of predicted. Approximately 80% of patients were on inhaled corticosteroids and chronic oxygen therapy. Based on DXA T-scores, 30% of patients had bone densities in the osteoporotic range and an additional 48% in the osteopenic range.

Table 1

General characteristics of the study population

Characteristic	(n = 23)
Age (years)	66 (8.7)
Caucasian, n (%)	23 (100)
Body mass index (kg/m2)	26.4 (6.9)
FEV 1 (% of predicted)	32 (11)
History of smoking, n (%)	23 (100)
Current, n (%)	5 (22)
Pack-years	60.8 (22.3)
Home oxygen, n (%)	19 (83)
Pulmonary medications, n (%)
Inhaled corticosteroid	19 (79)
Long-acting inhaled B2-agonist	13 (57)
Long-acting inhaled anticholinergic	11 (43)
Total hip BMD T-score	−1.1 ± 1.1
Lumbar spine BMD T-score	−1.2 ± 1.2
Normal, n (%)a	5 (22)
Osteopenia, n (%)a	11 (48)
Osteoporosis, n (%)a	7 (30)

Notes: Values given as mean (SD) unless otherwise specified.

World health Organization Criteria using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry BMD T-scores.

Abbreviations: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second; BMD, bone mineral density.

On bivariate analysis, there was no relationship between TNF-α, TNFR-1, or TNFR-2 and total hip BMD or lumbar spine BMD (Table 2). There was also no significant correlation between TNF-α, TNFR-1, or TNFR-2 and parameters of body composition (data not shown). There was a significant positive correlation with serum leptin concentrations, and a significant negative correlation with serum adiponectin concentrations and total hip and spine BMD (Table 2). However, after adjusting for total body mass, which had the strongest association (r2 = 0.48); correlations been total hip and spine BMD and serum concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were no longer significant. There were no significant correlations between total hip and spine BMD and serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, osteocalcin, and 25-OHD or urinary NTX.

Table 2

Selected bivariate correlations with total hip and spine bone mineral density

Parameter	Total hip BMD		Spine BMD
	R	p	R	p
Adipokines
TNF-α (ng/mL)	0.014	0.95	−0.016	0.94
TNFR-1 (pg/mL)	0.216	0.32	−0.028	0.90
TNFR-2 (ng/mL)	0.233	0.28	0.073	0.74
Leptin (ng/mL)	0.616	0.002a	0.456	0.03
Adiponectin (ng/mL)	−0.531	0.009a	−0.426	0.04
Resistin (ng/mL)	0.225	0.30	−0.194	0.38
Body composition
Body mass index (kg/m2)	0.600	0.003	0.483	0.02
Total fat (kg)	0.635	0.001	0.443	0.03
Total lean (kg)	0.633	0.001	0.579	0.004
Total body mass (kg)	0.690	0.0003a	0.564	0.005
Markers of bone turnover
Osteocalcin (ng/mL)	−0.161	0.46	−0.40	0.06
Urinary NTX (nmol BCE/mmol creatinine)	−0.302	0.16	−0.328	0.13
Hormones
Testosterone (ng/dL)	−0.265	0.57	−0.104	0.64
Estradiol (pg/mL)	0.184	0.40	0.293	0.17
25-OHD (ng/mL)	−0.232	0.29	−0.079	0.72
Lung function
FEV1 % P	0.405	0.06	0.329	0.13
DCLO % P	0.354	0.11	0.111	0.62
TGV % P	−0.541	0.009	−0.342	0.12
TLC % P	−0.555	0.007a	−0.360	0.10
RV % P	−0.490	0.02	−0.359	0.10

Notes:

No correlations were seen between total hip BMD and TLC % P, leptin, and adiponectin after adjustment for total body mass with partial correlation analysis.

Abbreviations: BMD, bone mineral density; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; TNFR, tumor necrosis factor receptor; NTX, N-telopeptide; 25-OHD, 25-hydroxy vitamin D; FEV1 % P, forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted; DLCO % P, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide percent predicted; TGV % P, thoracic gas volume percent predicted; TLC % P, total lung capacity percent predicted; RV % P, residual volume percent predicted.

Selected bivariate correlations with serum leptin and adiponectin are summarized in Table 3. Serum leptin concentrations were significantly positively correlated with parameters of body composition and negatively correlated with urinary NTX, and lung volumes (Table 3). In contrast, serum adiponectin concentrations had a smaller, yet significant, negative correlation with parameters of body composition and demonstrated a significant negative correlation with serum concentrations of resistin, TNFR-1 and TNFR-2. There was a significant inverse relationship between leptin and adiponectin.

Table 3

Selected bivariate correlations with serum leptin and adiponectin

Parameter	Leptin		Adiponectin
	R	p	R	p
Adipokines
Leptin (ng/mL)	–	–	−0.648	0.0008
Adiponectin (ng/mL)	−0.648	0.0008	–	–
Resistin (ng/mL)	0.268	0.22	−0.417	0.048
TNF-α (ng/mL)	0.038	0.86	−0.243	0.26
TNFR-1(pg/mL)	0.266	0.22	−0.552	0.006
TNFR-2 (ng/mL)	0.298	0.17	−0.557	0.006
Body composition
Body mass index (kg/m2)	0.800	<0.0001	−0.658	0.0006
Total fat (kg)	0.836	<0.0001	−0.629	0.001
Total lean (kg)	0.442	0.04	−0.319	0.14
Total body mass (kg)	0.7586	<0.0001	−0.601	0.002
Bone mineral density
Total body BMD (g/cm2)	0.550	0.007	−0.462	0.03
Total hip BMD (g/cm2)	0.616	0.002	−0.531	0.009
Lumbar spine BMD (gm/cm2)	0.456	0.03	−0.426	0.04
Markers of bone turnover
Urinary NTX (nmol BCE/mmol creatinine)	−0.702	0.0002	0.463	0.03
Osteocalcin (ng/mL)	0.048	0.83	−0.004	0.99
Lung function
FEV1 % P	0.328	0.13	−0.387	0.07
DCLO % P	0.264	0.23	−0.266	0.23
TGV % P	−0.620	0.002	0.457	0.03
TLC % P	−0.561	0.007	0.444	0.04
RV % P	−0.552	0.008	0.357	0.10

Abbreviations: BMD, bone mineral density; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; TNFR, tumor necrosis factor receptor; NTX, N-telopeptide; FEV1 % P, forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted; DLCO % P, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide percent predicted; TGV % P, thoracic gas volume percent predicted; TLC % P, total lung capacity percent predicted; RV % P, residual volume percent predicted.

Characteristics of the study population stratified according to osteoporosis status are summarized in Table 4. All body composition parameters were significantly lower in the patients with osteoporosis (Table 5). There was no significant difference between the groups with regards to total testosterone, estradiol, 25-OHD concentrations, and markers of bone turnover. Patients with osteoporosis had significantly lower mean % predicted FEV1 (24.5 vs 37; P = 0.003) and DLCO (29.4 vs 42.1; P = 0.036) values and there was a trend towards higher lung volumes. Serum leptin was significant lower (3.8 vs 9.8 ng/mL; P = 0.046) and adiponectin concentrations trended higher (8969.2 vs 3333.2 ng/mL; P = 0.07) in the osteoporosis group.

Table 4

Characteristics of patients with and without osteoporosis

Characteristic	Osteoporosisa (n = 9)	No osteoporosisb (n = 14)
Age (years)	65.2 (10.8)	66.4 (6.5)
Body mass index (kg/m2)	22.6 (4.2)	28.9 (7.2)c
History of smoking, n (%)	9 (100)	14 (100)
Current, n (%)	2 (22)	3 (21)
Pack-years	55 (27.7)	64.3 (18.4)
AECOPD (number/year)	1.3 (2.0)	0.6 (0.9)
Home oxygen, n (%)	8 (89)	11 (79)
Pulmonary medications, n (%)
Inhaled corticosteroid	6 (67)	12 (86)
Long-acting inhaled B2-agonist	5 (56)	8 (57)
Long-acting inhaled anticholinergic	4 (44)	6 (43)
Central DXA BMD T-scores
Total hip	−1.97 (0.56)	−0.49 (0.97)
Lumbar spine	−2.24 (1.04)	−0.54 (0.73)

Notes: Values given as mean (SD) unless otherwise specified.

Based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score or a history of osteoporotic fracture

Based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score

P = 0.014.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; BMD, bone mineral density; DXA, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Table 5

Comparison of patients with and without osteoporosis

Parameter	Osteoporosisa (n = 9)	No osteoporosisb (n = 14)	p
Adipokines
Leptin (ng/ml)	3.8 (4.7)	9.8 (8.7)	0.046
Adiponectin (ng/mL)	8969.2 (8008)	3333.2 (1788.8)	0.069
Resistin (ng/mL)	14.9 (6.9)	14.1 (4.3)	0.76
TNF-α (ng/mL)	1.6 (0.4)	1.6 (0.3)	0.86
TNFR-1 (ng/mL)	1.2 (0.5)	1.2 (0.4)	0.99
TNFR-2 (ng/mL)	2.6 (1.0)	3.0 (1.1)	0.41
Body composition
Total body fat (kg)	15.6 (5.9)	28.2 (13.5)	0.007
Total body lean (kg)	47.1 (3.7)	55.6 (9.9)	0.009
Total body mass (kg)	64.8 (4.9)	86.4 (22.4)	0.008
Bone turnover markers
Urinary NTX (nmol BCE/mmol creatinine)	38.4 (17.8)	27.9 (15.9)	0.18
Osteocalcin (ng/mL)	5.3 (2.9)	3.8 (2.7)	0.28
Hormones
Testosterone (ng/dL)	340.2 (150.6)	319.9 (145.9)	0.75
Estradiol (pg/mL)	24.7 (12)	33.6 (19.0)	0.23
25-OHD (ng/mL)	28.8 (15.7)	23.9 (9.1)	0.42
Lung function
FEV1 % P	24.5 (7.9)	37 (10)	0.003
TGV % P	210.3 (45.1)	173.2 (41.5)	0.08
RV % P	258.5 (80)	194.2 (68.7)	0.08
TLC % P	131.5 (21.8)	112.5 (21.8)	0.07
DLCO % P	29.4 (10.2)	42.1 (16.2)	0.036

Notes: Values given as mean (SD).

Based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score or a history of osteoporotic fracture

Based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score.

Abbreviations: TNF, tumor necrosis factor; TNFR, tumor necrosis factor receptor; NTX, N-telopeptide; 25-OHD, 25-hydroxy vitamin D; FEV1 % P, forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted; DLCO % P, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide percent predicted; TGV % P, thoracic gas volume percent predicted; TLC % P, total lung capacity percent predicted; RV % P, residual volume percent predicted.

Discussion

Osteoporosis is common in men with severe COPD. In our study, 78% of the men enrolled had low bone density and nearly 40% were classified as having osteoporosis. Those patients with osteoporosis had worse lung disease as evidenced by lower mean % predicted FEV1 and DLCO values compared to those without osteoporosis. In addition, all body composition parameters were significantly lower in this population, as were mean serum leptin concentrations. There was no difference in serum concentrations of TNF-α or its receptors. On bivariate analysis of the total study population, there was no association between TNF-α and BMD. Parameters of body composition, lung volumes, and serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations were significantly associated with total hip and spine BMD. However, consistent with previous studies, body mass was the only independent predictor of BMD at these sites.3,33,51 Approximately 50% of the variability in total hip BMD could be accounted for by the total body mass in this population.

The relationship between body weight and BMD is complex and not completely understood. Possible explanations for the protective bone effects of increased body weight include increased aromatization of androgens to estrogen in adipose tissue, mechanical loading, lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin, and increased bone formation due to high circulating insulin levels.52 Adipose tissue produces and releases a variety of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors including TNF-α, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin.37,53 It has been hypothesized that the effect of body weight on BMD might be mediated through the effects of these adipokines on bone remodeling.

Tumor necrosis factor-α has been implicated as contributing to cachexia in various chronic disease populations and elevated levels of TNF-α have been demonstrated in patients with COPD who have a low body weight or reduced skeletal muscle.35,36,54–59 TNF-α is a potent stimulator of osteoclastic bone resorption and has been linked to bone loss in several inflammatory disease states such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.32,60–63 It was postulated that elevated levels of TNF-α may contribute to the low body weight and low BMD in patients with COPD. However, in our study, there was no difference in serum concentrations of TNF-α, or its receptors TNFR-1 and TNFR-2 between patients with or without osteoporosis and they did not significantly correlate with BMD or bone turnover markers. Our results do not rule out the potential that the TNF system plays a role in cachexia and bone loss in patients with COPD. Evaluation of TNF-α at one time point may not be able to capture the long-term systemic inflammation picture. It is possible that increases in TNF-α during acute exacerbations contribute to bone loss and that levels are not significantly elevated during stable phases of the disease.64 Nearly 80% of our patients were on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids. It is unknown whether inhaled steroid use could have impacted the TNF results. Studies that demonstrate elevated levels of TNF-α in patients with COPD do not report the incidence of inhaled corticosteroid use by the study population.

The role of leptin in bone turnover and osteoporosis is not completely understood. In vitro data suggest that leptin stimulates bone formation possibly by acting on human marrow stromal cells to enhance osteoblast and inhibit adipocyte differentiation.65,66 Leptin also inhibits osteoclastagenesis by decreasing the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL) and increasing the production of osteoprotegerin (OPG).66 Therefore, reduced levels of leptin may result in both reduced bone formation and increased bone resorption. The effect of leptin on BMD may differ depending on the skeletal site. In a study of leptin-deficient mice, cortical thinning was observed, while trabecular volume was increased compared to control mice.67 In addition, adipocyte infiltration was seen in the femoral marrow, but not the vertebral marrow of the leptin-deficient mice. Therefore, leptin deficiency may have a greater effect on hip BMD compared to spine BMD. In our study, there was a stronger correlation between leptin and BMD at the total hip compared to the lumbar spine.

Leptin concentrations strongly correlate with BMI and body fat in patients with COPD.64,68–70 Similar to the literature, a strong positive correlation between leptin and parameters of body composition was observed in our patients. Data regarding the relationship between serum or plasma leptin concentrations and bone turnover markers or BMD are conflicting.39,40,42–48 In a prospective study of 139 postmenopausal women, plasma leptin was positively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (r = 0.233; P < 0.01), femoral neck (r = 0.293; P < 0.001) and total body (r = 0.177; P < 0.05).39 These associations remained significant after controlling for percent body fat, age, years since menopause and height. In a population-based longitudinal study of 302 elderly women and men, baseline plasma leptin concentrations were significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine (r = 0.36 and 0.27; P < 0.001) and femoral neck (r = 0.35 and 0.30; P < 0.001), but not after controlling for BMI.43 In a longitudinal cohort study, serum leptin was associated with BMD at all sites in both older men and older women (P < 0.01).45 However, after controlling for covariates such as age and BMI, the relationship was only significant in women. Similarly, in another cohort study, leptin significantly correlated with BMD after adjusting for lean mass and age at all sites, but only in the postmenopausal woman cohort (r = 0.18–0.42; P < 0.05).47 There was no association between leptin and BMD in the male cohort. Only one study in men has demonstrated an association between leptin and BMD after controlling for body weight, but not after controlling for other bone-related factors.71

None of these studies evaluated patients with COPD. In our study of men with COPD, leptin was positively associated with BMD and negatively associated with urinary NTX indicating lower BMD and higher bone turnover with lower leptin levels. Similar to other studies, this relationship between leptin and BMD was not independent of body weight in our population. It has been suggested that the relationship between leptin and BMD is possibly mediated through the association of both variables with body mass and not the direct effect of leptin on bone cell numbers or function.43

Weight loss is a potent inducer of adiponectin synthesis.53 In one study, elevated plasma adiponectin correlated with BMI, hyperinflation, and increased TNF-α levels in men with COPD.57 Bone mineral density was not evaluated in this study. Elevated levels of adiponectin may have a deleterious effect on bone through increasing RANKL and inhibiting the production of OPG, which would enhance bone resorption.72 Several studies have demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between adiponectin and BMD independent of body weight.49,50,73 In a large population-based cohort study, a doubling of serum adiponectin in postmenopausal women was associated with a mean percent decrease in BMD of 1.8% at all sites after controlling for covariate including BMI and central fat mass.49 In a cohort study of older men and women, adiponectin levels were negatively associated with BMD at all sites even after controlling for sex, age, height, fat mass, and leptin.74 Despite the correlation between adiponectin and BMD, there was no association between adiponectin and fracture risk in a subgroup analysis of one of the male cohorts. In our study, there was a trend towards higher adiponectin levels in patients with osteoporosis and there was a significant negative relationship between adiponectin and BMD and a significant positive relationship between adiponectin and urinary NTX. However, similar to leptin, this relationship was not independent of body mass.

Resistin is a pro-inflammatory adipokine, which stimulates synthesis of TNF and other cytokines through a nuclear factor-κB-dependent pathway.53 While its role in bone metabolism in unknown, one study demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between serum resistin and lumbar spine BMD after adjustment for age and BMI in men.42 There was no correlation between resistin and BMD in our study and there was no difference in resistin levels between the subjects with or without osteoporosis. Interestingly, resistin did significantly correlate with TNFR-1 (r2 = 0.803) and TNFR-2 (r2 = 0.514).

There are several limitations to this study. The sample size was small limiting the power to properly control for confounding variables and determine true associations. Venous blood samples were not collected in a fasting state or at the exact same time of the day in each patient, which may have impacted the adipokine levels. While it is standard to collect such samples after an overnight fast, there are several studies that indicate leptin and adiponectin levels do not substantially change postprandially.75–80 Therefore, we believe that the timing of the samples do not significantly impact our results. In addition, our results were consistent with what was expected based on the literature. Pulmonary function testing was not prospectively performed as a part of this study. Results were obtained from the patient’s medical record. While all pulmonary function tests results were performed at the UCH and during stable disease, some were obtained up to a year prior to enrollment into the study.

Our study demonstrated a high incidence of osteoporosis in men with severe COPD. Men with COPD and osteoporosis tended to have worse lung disease and significantly lower body mass and serum leptin concentrations compared to men with COPD, but without osteoporosis. Consistent with other studies, body weight was the only independent predictor of BMD in this population. This pilot study is important because it is the first study to evaluate the relationship between adipokines and BMD in patients with COPD. While these study results cannot refute or support the role of adipokines in the development of osteoporosis in men with COPD, it does bring into question whether the effect of body mass on BMD is mediated through the actions of adipokines on bone metabolism. Larger studies evaluating the potential role of adipokines in the development of osteoporosis are needed as well as research to better understand how low body weight contributes to low bone density in this population.