2023-04-19 22:10:18
Decrease in specific genes → Decrease in osteoclast function → Maintenance and preservation of bone volume → Osteoporosis treatment
A study has found that reducing the energy production of osteoclasts by lowering the level of certain genes can preserve bone mass and treat osteoporosis without side effects.
The Van Andel Institute in the U.S. announced that reducing a specific gene (KDM5C) inhibits the bone recycling function of osteoclasts and maintains and preserves bone mass, thereby opening a new way to treat osteoporosis, according to mouse experiments.
The Van Andel Institute is a biomedical research and education institution located in Michigan, USA. Osteoclasts (bone-destroying cells) are cells that destroy or absorb old or unnecessary bone. It functions as a kind of bone recycling, but if this function is excessively activated, the amount of bone (the amount of bone) decreases drastically, resulting in osteoporosis, in which bone density (bone density) is lowered. “The specific gene (KDM5C), an epigenetic regulator, is very specific, so it will be a good target for the treatment of osteoporosis in women with reduced bone mass,” said Associate Professor Connie Kroczyk of the research team.
According to the research team, it is estimated that about 19% of American women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis in the hip and lower spine. Bone weakness due to osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture and poses a major threat to health and quality of life. There are quite a few treatments for osteoporosis, but serious side effects can be an obstacle to treatment itself. Hormone estrogen therapy is also possible, but is associated with some cancer risk. Experts recommend using it in low doses and for short periods of time.
A specific gene (KDM5C) is linked to the X chromosome. This is why osteoporosis is particularly common in women. Reducing a specific gene is like turning off a gene switch to stop the overactive bone recycling process of osteoclasts. “We are very excited about these results and are preparing for further studies in the future,” said the research team.
The results of this study (The histone demethylase KDM5C controls female bone mass by promoting energy metabolism in osteoclasts) were published in Science Advances.
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#Catch #bonedestroying #cells #light #osteoporosis #treatment