Analysis of the functional interaction among bone, gut and energy metabolism with a special reference to gender difference

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24229009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Functional basic dentistry
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Hirata Masato 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 教授 (60136471)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 松田 美穂 九州大学, 歯学研究科(研究院), 講師 (40291520) ; 竹内 弘 九州歯科大学, 歯学部, 教授 (70304813) ; 溝上 顕子 九州大学, 歯学研究科(研究院), 助教 (70722487)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-05-31 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: オステオカルシン / インクレチン / インスリン / エネルギー代謝 / メタボリックシンドローム / 骨

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bone has traditionally been regarded as a static structural organ that supports movement of the body and protects the internal organs. However, evidence has been accumulated in the past decade showing that bone also functions as an endocrine organ that regulates systemic glucose and energy metabolism. Osteocalcin (OC), an osteoblast-specific secreted protein, acts as a hormone by stimulating insulin production and increasing energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity in target organs. In the present study, we clarified that OC stimulated the secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 from enteroendocrine cells, leading to insulin secretion. OC also stimulated adiponectin release from adipocytes. Thus, animal studies have shown that an oral application of OC ameliorates glucose intolerance, reducing blood glucose level. Therefore, it has been suggested that OC could be a feasible preventive or therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders.

Free Research Field

歯科基礎医学　生化学　薬理学