The skeleton secretes a hormone that helps to coordinate the flight-or-fight response suggesting that this part of our body is more active than what it is thought to be.
When faced with a sudden threat or danger, the heart, breathing rate, blood pressure, blood sugar circulation and body temperature increase to prepare the muscles for quick action. This response is known to be controlled by nerve pathways from the brain and hormones released by the adrenal glands.
Scientists at Columbia University Genetics and Development Department discovered that a hormone released by bones called osteocalcin also has an important role. Osteocalcin is secreted solely by osteoblast (cells that secrete the matrix for bone formation) having minor effects on bone mineralization and density. It has been reported to control several physiological processes in an endocrine mode, such as glucose homeostasis, exercise activity, brain development, cognition, and fertility.
This discovery suggests that a radical and new view of the role of bones needs to be implemented in the field of biological science.
Renzo J. Bustamante-Wendorff, B.S., M.S.
Research & Development
References: New Scientist, September 21-27, 2019
