Bone Marrow Hormone May Improve Diabetes

A new study finds that the fat tissue in bone marrow is a previously unrecognized, but significant source for adiponectin during caloric restriction.

Adiponectin is a hormone that helps maintain insulin sensitivity, breaks down fat, and is linked to decreased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity-related cancers. It was previously believed that white adipose tissue was the only source of adiponectin.
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Low levels of adiponectin have been correlated with multiple health problems. Obese individuals have the lowest levels of adiponectin; losing body fat, increases adiponectin levels.

Bone marrow adipose tissue—the fat tissue inside the bones—is most commonly associated with negative health effects, including reduced bone mass and increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

However, in this study, researchers noted that bone marrow adipose tissue may secrete adiponectin in cases of restricted caloric intake, such as people with anorexia and individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment—for ovarian or endometrial cancer. In these cases, bone marrow adipose tissue played a positive, protective role and influence adaptive functions outside of the bone tissue.

Next, when researchers blocked marrow fat formation in mice, they found a relationship between bone marrow adipose tissue and adiponectin, indicating the fat tissue in marrow can have effects beyond the bone.

“Bone marrow adipose tissue has traditionally had a bad reputation because of its relationship to decreased bone mass but we now know that adipose tissue within marrow goes beyond the bone and also serves as an endocrine organ that can influence metabolism,” said William Cawthorn, PhD, co-lead author of the study and University of Michigan postdoctoral fellow in the MacDougald lab.

The complete study is published in the July issue of Cell Metabolism.

-Michelle Canales

References:

Cawthorn WP, Scheller EL, Learman BS, et al. Bone marrow adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that contributes to increased circulating adiponectin during caloric restriction. Cell Metab. 2014 July [epub ahead of print] doi: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2014.06.003.

University of Michigan Health System. Bone marrow fat tissue secretes hormone that helps body stay healthy [press release]. July 3, 2014. www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/201407/bone-marrow-fat-tissue-secretes-hormone-helps-body-stay. Accessed July 9, 2014.