ABSTRACT
Objectives: The effect of dietary protein intake on bone mineral density [BMD] has not been explained in patients with spinal cord injury [SCI]. In this study, we looked at the relationship between BMD and higher protein intake in patients with SCI while controlling for possible confounders
Methods: Patients with SCI, who were referred to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center between November 2010 and April 2012, were included in the study. In total, the dietary intakes of 103 patients were assessed by 24-hour dietary recall interviews. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure BMD in the femoral neck, trochanter, intertrochanteric zone, hip, and lumbar vertebras
Results: Eighty-six men and 17 women participated in this study. Protein intake was negatively associated with the BMD of lumbar vertebrae [p = 0.001, r = -0.37 for T-score and p = 0.030, r = -0.24 for Z-score]. The BMD of lumbar vertebrae were negatively associated with intake of tryptophan, isoleucine, lysine, cysteine, and tyrosine [p = 0.007, 0.005, 0.009, 0.008, and 0.008 for T-score, respectively]. Higher intakes of threonine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, valine, and histidine were related to a lower BMD of lumbar vertebrae [p = 0.006, 0.010, 0.009, 0.010, 0.009, and 0.008 respectively for T-scores]
Conclusions: We found that high protein intake led to a lower BMD of lumbar vertebrae in patients with SCI after controlling for confounders including demographic and injury-related characteristics and calcium intake. No relationship between higher amino acids intake and BMD of the femur and hip was detected. Intake of alanine, arginine, and aspartic acid were not related to BMD
ABSTRACT
Studies have shown that patients with Spinal Cord Injury [SCI] are susceptible to various diseases including dislipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease [CVD]. In this study for the first time, we evaluated the relationship between dietary intake and metabolic variables of 162 patients. This cross sectional study was done in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All of the consumed food items and the variables were measured. Independent-sample t-test was used for comparison of dietary intake and serum profile. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate predicting variables of serum variables. Men as compared to women had higher triglycerides [TG] levels and lower HDL-C levels [p<0.05]. Patients with paraplegia compared to those with tetraplegia had significantly higher total cholesterol and LDL-C levels [p<0.001]. In regard to serum profile, there is a positive correlation between LDL-C levels and age [p<0.05]. Dietary intake of saturated fat showed positive correlation with FBS [p<0.05]. Moreover, there is a significant negative correlation between LDL-C levels and dietary intake of PUFA [p<0.05]. Body Mass Intake [BMI], cholesterol intake and level of trauma were positive predictors for serum cholesterol. Waist circumference, level of injury and cholesterol intake were positive predictors for serum LDL. Moreover, PUFA intake and education level were negative predictor for serum LDL. Despite low intake of saturated fat and cholesterol in older participants, serum LDL level was high. Male group had higher levels of TG. So, attention to dietary intake of patients with SCI and encouraging healthy dietary habits may have important effects on their health