Figure 8. Correlation network shortest path results linking body weight to the modified Mankin whole-joint knee OA score.

∣r∣-values were used to estimate edge weights and transformed to a distance matrix for Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm. The algorithm was applied to the full network (Figure S5) to identify the network variables (“nodes”) that most closely link body weight to knee OA across each diet and physical activity condition. Note that all diet and activity conditions, except for the CF sedentary group, involved synovial fluid (SF) metabolites in the shortest path. A tentative annotation of the metabolites based on m/z values indicates an enrichment for metabolites involved in extracellular lipid transport, as indicated by arrow heads. The glucose intolerance node refers to the glucose area under the curve value following a glucose tolerance test. Cartilage damage refers to this specific sub-component score of the modified Mankin OA score. Proteoglycan loss refers to the Safranin-0 stain loss sub-component score of the modified Mankin OA score.