Abstract
BackgroundAs the incidence of secretory osteoporosis has increased, bone loss, osteoporosis and their relationships with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) have received increased attention. In this study, the role of TSH in bone metabolism and its possible underlying mechanisms were investigated.MethodsWe analyzed the serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and TSH and the bone mineral density (BMD) levels of 114 men with normal thyroid function. In addition, osteoblasts from rat calvarial samples were treated with different doses of TSH for different lengths of time. The related gene and protein expression levels were investigated.ResultsA comparison of the BMD between the high-level and low-level serum TSH groups showed that the TSH serum concentration was positively correlated with BMD. TSH at concentrations of 10 mU/mL and 100 mU/mL significantly increased the mRNA levels of ALP, COI1 and Runx2 compared with those of the control (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 activity was enhanced with both increased TSH concentration and increased time. The protein levels of Runx2 and osterix were increased in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionsThe circulating concentrations of TSH and BMD were positively correlated with normal thyroid function in males. TSH promoted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in rat primary osteoblasts.
Highlights
As the incidence of secretory osteoporosis has increased, bone loss, osteoporosis and their relationships with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) have received increased attention
Subject characteristics The 114 men were divided into two groups based on their mean TSH levels
Forearm bone mineral density (BMD) was increased in the high-level serum TSH group compared with the lowlevel serum TSH group (P < 0.05) (Table 2)
Summary
As the incidence of secretory osteoporosis has increased, bone loss, osteoporosis and their relationships with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) have received increased attention. Due to the increase in life expectancy in an aging society, it has become a serious public health problem. This situation can lead to fractures, which will seriously affect the individual’s physical and mental health and quality of life. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts continue to remodel bone [1,2,3] unless the balance is disrupted, which may lead to osteoporosis and bone sclerosis [4]. It is known that hyperthyroidism is associated with significant bone loss [5]. Subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) means that serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels are normal, but TSH levels
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