Boning Up?

Although all the studies, to date, have concerned mice, Professor Gerard Karsenty's team  (and other groups) have identified hormones secreted by the bone of skeletal systems (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/04/does-the-key-to-anti-ageing-lie-in-our-bones). Prior to the 1990's, when he did his studies, there was no appreciation that our bones could chemically communicate with other parts of our bodies (although it was well-established that bone is acted upon by several hormones). A  range of hormones appear to be produced in bone but Karsenty's  focus has been labelled 'oesteocalcin'. The mouse studies have produced pretty persuasive evidence that injections of oesteocalcin (which has a major effect on energy production in muscle), can counter age-related ailments in these animals.These include declines in muscle mass and memory loss. In humans, oesteocalcin declines, when we reach the time of life when exercise and cognitive tasks become more difficult. The hope is that this and other bone hormones can be used clinically to counter such declines in our physical and cognitive abilities.