The Endocrine Role of Bone in Cardiometabolic Health

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to discuss the current knowledge about major bone regulating hormones vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), estrogen and bone metabolism markers osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1NP), and c-terminal type 1 collagen (CTX) and their mechanistic effects on cardiometabolic health.

Recent findings: Bone regulating hormones, nutrients, and turnover markers influence different aspects of cardiometabolic health including body composition, cardiovascular function, and glycemic control. While most observational research supports a relationship between bone as an endocrine organ and cardiometabolic outcomes, there are limited human clinical trials to strengthen a causal link between the two. While the associations between bone and cardiometabolic health are beginning to be understood based on findings from large observations studies, further exploration of bone's causal influence on health outcomes in humans and the underlying mechanisms of effect are necessary.

Keywords: Body composition; Bone; Bone turnover; Cardiometabolic health; Cardiovascular disease; Glycemic control.