A hormone normally associated with our mood could actually be modified to make bones stronger, say scientists. A research team from Columbia University Medical Center recently investigated the effects serotonin may have on our bone wellness.
Not just for the brain
Serotonin is normally linked with our moods and wellbeing, as it’s believed to help regulate them and many other process that go on in the brain. But, about 95 per cent of the chemical found in our bodies is located in our gut, where it’s been found to influence our bone growth. When it comes to making new bone tissue, osteoclasts remove old cells and osteoblasts fill in the holes left by this process with new cells. This slows down over time and eventually osteoblasts don’t manage to keep up with osteoclasts and we lose more cells than we gain. If we lose too many of our bone cells then our skeleton thins and we’re at risk of osteoporosis. Although the research shows that reducing the amount of serotonin in our guts can reduce the rate at which we lose bone cells.
From mice to men
The expert team induced menopause-like symptoms in mice so their bones thinned, similar to ours following the drop in hormones. The mice then received a daily dose of the medication that cut the serotonin in their stomach. Scientists found that the medicine cured the mice of osteoporosis by enhancing bone mass. The researchers explained that this potentially gives us more kinds of drugs for the condition. At present, most brittle bone medications focus on modifying the action of bone removing cells or on promoting the number of cells that create bone. This serotonin-based drug could one day be another way we treat our osteoporosis, without the side effects of those currently on the market. As well as medication, we can help preserve our bone tissue with exercise and a varied diet.
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