Associations of Serum Irisin and Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Levels With Bone Mineral Characteristics in Eumenorrheic Adolescent Athletes With Different Training Activity Patterns

Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2024 Apr 1;36(4):289-294. doi: 10.1123/pes.2023-0166. Print 2024 Nov 1.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe serum irisin and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) concentrations in healthy female adolescents with different training activity patterns and their associations with bone mineral properties and metabolic markers.

Methods: A total of 62 adolescent girls aged 14-18 years were recruited: 22 rhythmic gymnasts, 20 swimmers, and 20 untrained controls. Bone mineral characteristics by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, daily energy intake by dietary recall, serum irisin, FGF-21, undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were measured in all girls.

Results: Whole body and lumbar spine areal bone mineral density and lumbar spine bone mineral content were higher in the rhythmic gymnasts group compared with swimmers and untrained controls groups (P < .05). Serum irisin, FGF-21, undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels were not significantly different between the groups. In the rhythmic gymnasts group, serum FGF-21 concentration was positively correlated with lumbar spine areal bone mineral density independently of confounding factors (r = .51; P = .027).

Conclusions: Serum irisin and FGF-21 levels were not different between adolescent eumenorrheic girls with different training activity patterns. FGF-21 was positively associated with lumbar spine areal bone mineral density, which predominantly consists of trabecular bone in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts.

Keywords: bone health; intensive training; myokines; training modality.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adolescent
  • Athletes*
  • Biomarkers* / blood
  • Bone Density*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Collagen Type I / blood
  • Energy Intake
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors* / blood
  • Fibronectins* / blood
  • Gymnastics / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Osteocalcin / blood
  • Peptides / blood
  • Swimming / physiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Collagen Type I
  • collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Fibronectins
  • FNDC5 protein, human
  • Osteocalcin
  • Peptides