Background: In older adults, obesity is associated with frailty, conditions worsened by age related decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass. Objective: To evaluate whether a 3-month Fibre-Enriched High Carbohydrate (FEHC) diet preserves bone health, reduces inflammation and modulates Wnt signalling in older adults with obesity. Methods: In this clinical trial, 86 women aged 65–85 years with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) undergoing hip arthroplasty were assigned to a free control diet (FCD) or a FEHC diet (FEHC) group for 3 months before surgery. Clinical, systemic, and molecular assessments were performed, including gene expression analyses in bone and muscle tissues. Results: A significant reduction in waist circumference was observed over time in the FEHC group (p = 0.037), whereas no changes were detected in body weight, BMD or bone microarchitecture. Compared to FCD, the FEHC group showed reduced circulating IL-6 (p = 0.03), IL-8 (p = 0.022) and TNFα (p = 0.04) levels, along with lower IL-6 gene expression in muscle (p = 0.035). A strong trend of increased IGF-1 gene expression in muscle tissue of the FEHC group was also observed (p = 0.058). Gene expression analyses revealed a significant increase in WNT5a expression in muscle (p = 0.049), and an upward trend in WNT10b expression in bone (p = 0.055) while serum levels of DKK-1 were significantly higher in the FEHC group compared to FCD (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The FEHC diet reduces systemic and local inflammation, without affecting skeletal health in older adults with obesity.
Fibre‐Enriched High‐Carbohydrate (FEHC) Diet Modulates Inflammation Without Affecting Bone Health in Older Women With Obesity: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Strollo, Rocky;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Background: In older adults, obesity is associated with frailty, conditions worsened by age related decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass. Objective: To evaluate whether a 3-month Fibre-Enriched High Carbohydrate (FEHC) diet preserves bone health, reduces inflammation and modulates Wnt signalling in older adults with obesity. Methods: In this clinical trial, 86 women aged 65–85 years with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) undergoing hip arthroplasty were assigned to a free control diet (FCD) or a FEHC diet (FEHC) group for 3 months before surgery. Clinical, systemic, and molecular assessments were performed, including gene expression analyses in bone and muscle tissues. Results: A significant reduction in waist circumference was observed over time in the FEHC group (p = 0.037), whereas no changes were detected in body weight, BMD or bone microarchitecture. Compared to FCD, the FEHC group showed reduced circulating IL-6 (p = 0.03), IL-8 (p = 0.022) and TNFα (p = 0.04) levels, along with lower IL-6 gene expression in muscle (p = 0.035). A strong trend of increased IGF-1 gene expression in muscle tissue of the FEHC group was also observed (p = 0.058). Gene expression analyses revealed a significant increase in WNT5a expression in muscle (p = 0.049), and an upward trend in WNT10b expression in bone (p = 0.055) while serum levels of DKK-1 were significantly higher in the FEHC group compared to FCD (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The FEHC diet reduces systemic and local inflammation, without affecting skeletal health in older adults with obesity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
