Exploratory analysis of the potential relationship between urinary molybdenum and bone mineral density among adult men and women from NHANES 2007–2010

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 164; pp. 677 - 682
• Main Authors: Lewis, Ryan C., Johns, Lauren E., Meeker, John D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers - urine; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone mineral density; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology; Female; Femur Neck - drug effects; Femur Neck - metabolism; Humans; Limit of Detection; Lumbar Vertebrae - drug effects; Lumbar Vertebrae - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Molybdenum; Molybdenum - urine; Nutrition Surveys; Steroid sex hormones; United States; U-CR; Mo; Steroid sex hormones; B-Pb; CDC; LS-BMD; NCHS; FN-BMD; CAPI; S-COT; MEC; S-D2D3; TTM; Molybdenum; Epidemiology; B-Hg; Biomarkers; BMD; Bone mineral density; NHANES; U-Mo; U-Cd
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.08.142

Human exposure to molybdenum (Mo) may play a role in reducing bone mineral density (BMD) by interfering with steroid sex hormone levels. To begin to address gaps in the literature on this topic, the potential relationship between urinary Mo (U-Mo) and BMD at the femoral neck (FN-BMD) and lumbar spine (LS-BMD) was explored in a sample of 1496 adults participating in the 2007–2010 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Associations were assessed using multiple linear regression models stratified on sex and age. In adjusted models for 50–80+ year-old women, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between natural log-U-Mo and LS-BMD (p-value: 0.002), and a statistically significant dose-dependent decrease in LS-BMD with increasing U-Mo quartiles (trend p-value: 0.002). A suggestive (trend p-value: 0.08), dose-dependent decrease in FN-BMD with increasing U-Mo quartiles was noted in this group of women as well. All other adjusted models revealed no statistically significant or suggestive relationships between U-Mo and FN-BMD or LS-BMD. Bone health is important for overall human health and well-being and, given the exploratory nature of this work, additional studies are needed to confirm the results in other populations, and clarify the potential underlying mechanisms of Mo on BMD. •Mo may affect bone health through altering levels of steroid sex hormones.•U-Mo and femoral neck and lumbar BMD were explored among adults from NHANES.•U-Mo was inversely associated with femoral neck and lumbar BMD in older women only.•Research is needed to confirm these results and clarify the underlying mechanism.