# Volumetric bone density, geometry, strength and bone tissue material properties in type 1 diabetes

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2021 · $167,034

## Abstract

Abstract
Postmenopausal women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a six- to eight-fold higher risk for hip fractures
compared to women without diabetes. Hip fractures are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, loss of
independence, and financial burden. Moreover, hip fracture mortality is higher in patients with diabetes
compared to subjects without diabetes. Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the most common test to assess
bone health, measures only areal bone mineral density (BMD), and fails to provide information on bone quality;
hence, it underestimates fracture risk in patients with T1D. Therefore, we hypothesize that hip structural and
bone tissue material quality will be compromised in postmenopausal women with T1D compared to controls.
Consistent with overarching hypothesis, we propose to determine hip bone structural quality (vBMD, bone
geometry, and bone strength) using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and a novel computerized
image-based technique (finite element analysis) [Aim 1], and evaluate differences in bone tissue composition
and tissue material properties from transiliac bone biopsy using Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation, and
backscattered electron microscopy [Aim 2] in postmenopausal women with T1D compared to age- and BMI-
matched postmenopausal women without diabetes.
With improved care, people with T1D are living longer and there is no specific approach for prevention and
treatment of osteoporosis for older adults with T1D. Therefore, this study will elucidate possible mechanisms of
bone fragility in postmenopausal women with T1D with the long-term goal to prevent hip fractures and related
morbidity in this high-risk population.
The proposed K23 award will facilitate my transition to independence by providing support necessary to; 1)
acquire and consolidate clinical science knowledge and translational research skills; 2) develop professional
research skills, and 3) develop a path to independent research. To achieve my professional goals, I have
assembled a team of mentors comprised of 1) Dr. Janet Snell-Bergeon, PhD, an expert in the field of T1D
complications and epidemiology, funded by the NIH for more than a decade; and 2) Dr. Wendy Kohrt, PhD, a
senior scientist in the field of bone metabolism and aging, with over three decades of constant NIH funding. In
addition, the expertise of Mentoring team (Dr. Chonchol, clinical researcher in the field of bone metabolism,
Drs. Carpenter and Ferguson, biomechanical engineers and Dr. Pyle, biostatistician) will help advance my
career in this field. The findings of the proposed study will generate essential data to propose an R01 focused
on therapeutic strategies to reduce osteoporosis risk in T1D.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10142370
- **Project number:** 5K23AR075099-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Viral N Shah
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $167,034
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-10 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10142370

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10142370, Volumetric bone density, geometry, strength and bone tissue material properties in type 1 diabetes (5K23AR075099-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10142370. Licensed CC0.

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