This New Study May Have Found A Way To Keep Bones Stronger As We Age

Ilshat - stock.adobe.com
Ilshat - stock.adobe.com

Ten million people, aged fifty years or older, have osteoporosis in the United States alone– a disease that is “marked by significant bone loss and reduced bone strength, leading to increased risk of fractures.”

This disease is just one common problem associated with loss of bone mass and density as humans grow older.

But, a new study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University has found a potential target to keep bones strong throughout the aging process.

The researchers have identified the mineralocorticoid receptor– more commonly known for its role in regulating blood pressure– as a fundamental part of bone health.

By blocking the receptor, bone cells may be more protected. And, common hypertension medications such as spironolactone and eplerenone already do this.

Still, the team did not immediately come to this conclusion. They first focused on a seemingly-obvious target–glucocorticoid receptors.

Glucocorticoid drugs are commonly known to suppress immune responses and reduce inflammation.

This is why medications like Prednisone work wonders for arthritis or irritable bowel syndrome. But, these drugs also interfere with the natural bone cycle.

Dr. Meghan McGee-Lawrence, the study’s corresponding author, described why reducing glucocorticoid receptors’ impact appeared to be the logical route at first.

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“Our natural glucocorticoid levels increase with age. And, when we are young, bone has more glucocorticoid receptors than mineralocorticoid receptors,” she said.

“Glucocorticoids can actually coax stem cells to make bone-forming osteoblasts. But, this also causes those osteoblasts to store more fat, and too much fat in the bone typically correlates with bone loss.”

When testing lower-functioning glucocorticoid receptors on mice, though, the scientists were surprised to find that bone loss was not protected.

Instead, fat accumulation actually increased and worsened osteoporosis. The mice were also less mobile, had lower muscle mass, and higher blood pressure.

Then, while administering drugs that inhibit the mineralocorticoid receptor, the scientists were shocked to see that many of those issues were reversed.

After conducting more research, the scientists have since found that the only way to stop fat storage from osteoblasts is by using drugs to inhibit mineralocorticoid receptors. Fortunately, blood pressure medications already do this for many older Americans today.

“We thought that knocking out the glucocorticoid receptor would make things better, but it made them worse. We think the mineralocorticoid receptor may explain a lot of what is going wrong in aging bone,” McGee-Lawrence explained.

This discovery may be monumental in keeping older people mobile and pain-free as they age. Not only did the scientists see changes specifically in bone, but also in muscle, fat, adrenal glands, and physical activity.

To read the complete scientific study, visit the link here.

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Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek

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