- Researchers examined the results of social seclusion on bone loss in mice.
- They discovered that social seclusion was related to increased bone loss in male, however not female, mice.
- Further research studies are required to comprehend whether the very same takes place in people.
Social seclusion is connected to even worse health results, consisting of increased all-cause death, cardiovascular issues, and psychological health conditions.
Previous research study has actually likewise revealed that mental tension is a
Social seclusion, carefully connected to isolation, might
Recently, scientists examined how social seclusion impacts bone health in male and female mice. They discovered that social seclusion was related to bone loss in male, however not female, mice.
The research study existed at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society’s yearly conference in Chicago.
Medical News Today talked to Dr. Nahid Rianon, an assistant teacher of geriatrics with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, not associated with the research study, about the findings.
“This study reports an important finding in animals. A translational study to see findings in humans, especially in older adults who often suffer from social isolation would be important to understand if risk of bone loss is higher in this vulnerable group. Identifying people at risk is the first step to prevent a health problem like bone loss that may lead to fracture and disability,” she informed us.
Dr. Rebecca Mountain, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Molecular Medicine at MaineHealth Institute for Research, lead author of the research study, likewise informed MNT:
“[The findings] may also have clinical implications as we grapple with the long-term health impacts of the rise in social isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, although future studies are needed to understand the effects in humans.”
For the research study, the scientists divided 32 16-week-old male and female mice into 2 groups. One group simulated social seclusion by keeping one mouse per cage. In the other group, each cage was shared by 4 mice.
The scientists kept an eye on the mice for 4 weeks in their particular living conditions.
Ultimately, separated male mice experienced decreases in bone mineral density. Bones consisting of less minerals are less thick, and are hence most likely to break.
The scientists likewise discovered that bone volume portion and cortical bone density fell by 26% and 9%, respectively, in separated male mice. Both procedures suggest lowered bone quality.
Further analysis revealed that male mice had actually indications of lowered bone improvement, a procedure that consists of the development of brand-new bone, which can increase fracture danger.
The scientists kept in mind that bone loss seen in separated males resembled that seen in previous research studies following orchiectomy (elimination of the testicles) and ovariectomy (elimination of the ovaries).
By contrast, female mice in the existing research study did not experience any bone loss following social seclusion.
The scientists discovered, nevertheless, that separated women had actually increased bone resorption-related gene expression, although their bone mass was untouched. Increased bone resorption can lead to bones breaking down much faster than they can renew, increasing fracture danger.
Dr. Mountain kept in mind that the accurate systems for how social seclusion might cause bone loss are unidentified. However, her group is checking out various possibilities, consisting of the function of different tension hormonal agents and the body’s considerate nerve system.
MNT likewise talked to Dr. William Buxton, board-certified neurologist and director of Neuromuscular and Neurodiagnostic Medicine and of Fall Prevention at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, not associated with the research study, about the systems underlying the results of social seclusion on bone health.
“My first thought about the link is that one of the best ways to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis is engaging in weight-bearing exercises. If one is isolated he or she is less likely to be out of his or her home and as a result be on their feet less,” he informed us.
Dr. Rianon included: “Both depression and weight loss can lead to frailty, disability, decreased mobility which can contribute to bone loss. All of these are risks for bone loss and future research is needed to understand underlying metabolic changes that lead to bone loss in these medical conditions.”
Dr. Mountain kept in mind that they are presently examining why social seclusion impacted males and women in a different way. She kept in mind that estrogen is understood to have a protective result on bone, therefore might contribute.
“It’s also possible that isolation is working in different ways, or on a different time scale, in male and female mice,” she included.
MNT likewise talked to Dr. Douglas Landry Jarvis, an orthopedic cosmetic surgeon with Novant Health in Charlotte, NC, not associated with the research study, about what might explain the sex distinctions.
“Lack of social interaction [may have affected] testosterone production and hormonal balances, changing bone metabolism in a negative way. [It may be that] the female hormonal cycle is less affected over a 4-week span,” he kept in mind.
Dr. Mountain said that the research study’s restrictions include its little sample size and absence of behavioral information to comprehend how seclusion impacted depressive or distressed habits in mice.
Dr. Buxton even more kept in mind: “The study is limited by the use of animals in cages, so it’s not a perfect model of human activity. I don’t know if the authors reported on how often animals were on their feet in the cages, but I would expect that those in the community were on their feet more.”
Dr. Rianon included that although the scientists showed that there may be distinctions in between male and female mice concerning bone development, the research study does not explain how these distinctions take place.
She kept in mind nevertheless: “[It’s pretty normal] to not have [such] details in the early stages of any research.”
“If these results are also later demonstrated in humans, I am also guessing that alcohol plays a role,” kept in mind Dr. Buxton.
“We know that drinking increases [the] risk of osteoporosis. Isolation is a risk factor for increased alcohol use, so alcohol is probably a link between isolation and decreased bone mineral density in humans,” he speculated.
Dr. Jarvis included: “Based on the study, no one should change their habits. The only implication of the study is that more studies need to be conducted. Social interaction is too broad of a variable. We need to know how much the […] cortisol levels of the mice changed; the study can then be extrapolated to primates and maybe even humans.”
