Human bones create diabetes and obesity control substances

Quang Thinh

New discovery: Bone has an important role that no one has ever known. It is the osteocalcin produced by bones that can control insulin, blood sugar and body fat.

Conducted by an international team of experts, this study is considered to open the opportunity to develop new therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity - two diseases that are very popular in the world. gender.

New function of Osteocalcin

This study shows that bones are not only a framework to support the entire body but also act as a metabolic organ.(Photo: Istockphoto.com)

Lead researcher Professor Gerard Karsenty, Dean of Columbia University's Department of Genetics and Development, said: 'Since 1977, Osteocalcin has been known to be endocrine produced from osteoblasts. , but its function is not yet determined '.

Over the past 3 years, Professor Karsenty and his colleagues have carried out a series of tests on many mouse lines, some of which have been genetically modified to not have Osteocalcin, and some have been genetically modified to have active Osteocalcin. strong.

During the study, the researchers discovered that endocrine hormone osteocalcin produced by bone is not only involved in bone formation, but also enhances the production of insulin in the pancreas, increasing sensitivity. of the body for insulin, and reducing the amount of fat accumulated in the body.

Specifically, this substance has affected the mechanism of glucose metabolism in the body in three ways: increasing the number of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas; directly promote the production of insulin from those cells; and improve the body's sensitivity to insulin - endocrine substances necessary for regulating glucose in the body.

According to Professor Karsenty's explanation, Osteocalcin not only stimulates the production of more insulin but also controls the fat cells that produce adiponectin - the endocrine substance that improves insulin sensitivity.

According to the team, it was the increase in the activity of Osteocalcin that prevented the development of diabetes in mice . Test results showed that mice without Osteocalcin had type 2 diabetes and excess fat accumulated in the body.

Experts also identified genes in bone cells that are involved in glucose metabolism. When neutralizing these genes in mice, they found that excess fat and glucose intolerance occurred in mice lacking Osteocalcin. These are the two risk factors for diabetes.

According to Mr. Karsenty, this proves the hypothesis that he has studied since 2002 that 'bone cells play a role in regulating fat cells'.

In summary, according to the study group, Osteocalcin has the ability to control insulin, blood sugar and excess fat buildup in mice.

Osteocalcin structure in schematic form - endocrine is quite capable of controlling blood sugar and fat accumulates in the body.(Photo: Senckenberg)

Open up opportunities to develop new therapies

This study shows that bones are not only a solid framework to support the whole body but also act as a metabolic organ. Experts say this new finding will open a new way of studying diabetes therapy in humans, because patients with type 2 diabetes often have low levels of Osteocalcin.

Professor Karsenty said: 'Research results show that bone plays a role in regulating blood sugar in ways we never knew. This finding helps broaden our understanding of bone function, while also generating an important metabolic and endocrine problem that we have not paid adequate attention to. '

This new finding opens up a new research direction for treating diabetes and obesity in humans.(Photo: Jonbarron.org)

Matt Hunt, Director of Scientific Information at Diabetes UK, said: 'This is a very interesting and useful study. Previous diabetes studies have never given an idea of ​​whether bone is involved in the development of diabetes. This discovery will open a whole new field of research '.

Regarding the applicability of this study to humans, the team said they are investigating the role of Osteocalcin in controlling blood sugar in humans.

Does the test result in mice repeat in humans? Professor Karsenty commented: 'That ability is very large, because Osteocalcin is also present in the human body, and patients with type 2 diabetes often have very low levels of this substance. If this happens, we have within ourselves the body to enhance the production of insulin for the body. '