Scientists Discover New Hormone that Builds Strong Bones

Recent research has uncovered a hormone that not only maintains the bone strength of breastfeeding women but also holds potential for broader applications, such as healing bone fractures and treating osteoporosis.

This hormone, known as Maternal Brain Hormone (CCN3), has been shown to significantly increase bone density and strength in mice. This discovery, published on July 10 in Nature by researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Davis, addresses the long-standing question of how women’s bones remain strong during breastfeeding despite the loss of calcium to support milk production.

The Study and Its Breakthrough Findings

The study led by Holly Ingraham, PhD, a professor of cellular molecular pharmacology at UCSF, revealed the crucial role of CCN3 in bone health during lactation. Ingraham’s team found that blocking a specific estrogen receptor in select neurons of female mice resulted in a significant increase in bone mass, suggesting the presence of a bone-building hormone. The hormone, later identified as CCN3, appeared in the brains of lactating female mice but not in males.

The information for this article was first shared by the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Scientists Discover New Hormone that Builds Strong Bones

Implications of CCN3 for Bone Health

CCN3’s ability to maintain and increase bone mass was tested in various conditions. When administered to both young and old mice, as well as females lacking estrogen, CCN3 significantly increased bone mass and strength. This hormone also showed promising results in healing fractures. A hydrogel patch designed to release CCN3 at fracture sites accelerated healing in elderly mice, demonstrating its potential as a treatment for bone fractures and osteoporosis.

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Potential Applications and Future Research

The discovery of CCN3 opens new avenues for treating conditions associated with bone loss, such as osteoporosis, which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The hormone could benefit breast cancer survivors on hormone blockers, elite female athletes, and older men who experience high mortality rates after hip fractures. Researchers are now exploring the molecular mechanisms of CCN3 and its levels in breastfeeding women to further understand its potential applications.

Key Quotes from Researchers

“One of the remarkable things about these findings is that if we hadn’t been studying female mice, which unfortunately is the norm in biomedical research, then we could have completely missed out on this finding,” said Holly Ingraham, PhD, highlighting the importance of including both sexes in research to fully understand biological mechanisms.

“There are some situations where highly mineralized bones are not better; they can be weaker and actually break more easily,” explained Thomas Ambrosi, PhD, who found that bones treated with CCN3 were stronger than usual, countering typical concerns about bone mineralization.

The identification of CCN3 as a critical hormone for bone health during lactation offers promising potential for broader medical applications. By increasing bone density and aiding in fracture healing, CCN3 could become a pivotal treatment for osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions. Future research will focus on understanding the hormone’s mechanisms and exploring its clinical applications to improve bone health across various populations.

Key Takeaways

This breakthrough in understanding bone health during lactation and the potential therapeutic applications of CCN3 marks a significant advancement in medical research, promising better treatments for bone-related conditions in the future.

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