Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fat and lean mass on both arterial stiffness and bone mass density (BMD) in elderly men.

Methods: This study was performed in 169 French males over 60 years. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid/femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a validated automated device (PulsePen®). BMD and body composition were determined with a dual-energy X- ray absorptiometry (DEXA) device in lumbar spine L1-L4, femoral neck and total body.

Results: Lean mass was positively correlated with the three T-scores accounting for 11.6%, 26.6% and 12.2 % of the variability in lumbar spine L1-L4, femoral neck and total body BMD T-scores respectively. Fat mass had no effect on BMD. However, fat mass was positively correlated with aortic PWV accounting for 9.8% of its variability. Lean mass was not a determinant of PWV. Hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were associated with higher PWV but had no effect on BMD.

Conclusions: In males from a general population over 60 years of age, bone and arterial aging are differently influenced by lean and fat mass. Our results indicate that elderly men with high lean mass and low fat mass exhibit the best arterial and bone profile, with the lowest arterial stiffness and the highest BMD.