Fat Fraction and Iron Concentration in Lumbar Vertebral Bone Marrow in the UK Biobank.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vertebral bone marrow (VBM) plays a critical role in bone homeostasis and metabolic health. Alterations in VBM fat and iron composition have been linked to age-related metabolic and musculoskeletal disorders, yet remain underexplored in large population-based studies.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess VBM adipose tissue and iron concentration in the UK Biobank imaging cohort (N = 26,524) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

VBM adipose tissue using two approaches: fat fraction (FF) measured from 2-point Dixon MRI images and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) from multi-echo MRI scans, along with iron concentration from multi-echo MRI images, were measured. Sex-specific relationships between VBM measures, anthropometric and lifestyle fa

SUBMITTER: Parkinson JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12357600 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature