Bone – an endocrine organ?

Abstract:

Bone has so far been perceived as an inert structure needed for mobility, calcium homeostasis and maintenance of hematopoietic tissue. Recent research on genetically manipulated mice demonstrated the importance of the bone not only as a structural support for the human body, but as a regulator of various metabolic processes that are independent of mineral metabolism. These advances in research create new perception of the bone, givinig it a role of an endocrine organ which modulates processes from glucose tolerance to bone-specific protein excretion - such as osteocalcin, FGF23, sklerostin, DKK1 and bone morfogenetic proteins. Over the last years, the „bone-cardiovascular system“ axis has been a topic of interest for research. The changes in the concentration of newly discovered molecules, through epidemiological studies, not only suggest a connection to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but also imply a causal relationship. 

Key words:
bone; cardiovascular diseases; chronic kidney disease; endocrine organ; glucose metabolism