Blood Sugar Metabolism and Weight: Our Skeletons May Help

Note from Connie: A fascinating new study reveals that our skeleton may act as an endocrine organ by secreting a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels. This research actually changes scientific understanding of both the role of the skeleton and energy metabolism, we learned from an article in Scientific American. Karen James updates us about this discovery, which was published in the journal Cell.

The skeleton may be a major determinant in the development of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study from researchers at Columbia University, whose findings are the first to show the endocrine function of our bones.

While studying mice, scientists led by Gerard Karsenty, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Medical Center, discovered that bones secrete the hormone osteocalcin. This hormone increases insulin sensitivity and secretion and reduces obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice.

The team inactivated genes that largely operate in bone cells and are linked to glucose metabolism in mice. Those mice that could no longer produce osteocalcin were both fat and glucose intolerant—both prediabetic conditions. Those with high levels of the hormone, however, neither gained weight nor developed diabetes despite eating a high fat diet.

The researchers don’t know if the same results will bear out in humans, but because we also make osteocalcin, they are hopeful that the hormone may eventually be used to help treat type 2 diabetes.

Karen James for the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog