Experimental study on the influence of nicotine to bone metabolism

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10493
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: SATO KAZUKI 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 准教授 (60235322)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 宮本 健史 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特任准教授 (70383768)
• Research Collaborator: MITO Kazuaki
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ニコチン / α7nAchR / 骨代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The nicotinic receptor α7nAchR reportedly regulates vagal nerve targets in brain and cardiac tissues, and the parasympathetic nervous system; however, ite roles in bone metabolism were remained to be elucidated. Moreover, smoking is known as a risk of osteoporosis development, however, the mechanisms underlying have not been clarified. Our study revealed that α7nAchR suppressed TNFαexpression in macrophages, decreased osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio via the parasympathetic nervous system and upregulated osteoclastogenesis, resulting in loss of bone mass. Nicotine, the ligand of α7nAchR, activated the system. We now clarified a novel mechanism underlying controlling bone metabolism by the parasympathetic nervous system, and how nicotine, a main bioactive substance taken by smoking, affected bone.

Free Research Field

整形外科学