Control of bone remodeling by nervous system. The role of serotonin in the regulation of bone metabolism

Abstract

There is increasing evidence for a contribution of serotonin to the regulation of bone metabolism. In the periphery, gut derived serotonin (GDS) regulates osteoblast proliferation and bone formation. In the brain, brain derived serotonin regulates bone mass through sympathetic nervous system. In addition, inhibition of GDS biosynthesis can treat osteoporosis in ovariectomized rodents by increasing bone formation. The emerging evidence has suggested that inhibiting GDS biosynthesis could become a new anabolic treatment for osteoporosis in humans.