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Cortisol decreases hepatocyte growth factor levels in human osteoblast-like cells

S Skrtic1, C Ohlsson

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.

Calcified Tissue International
|February 1, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Glucocorticoids, used to treat conditions like osteoporosis, reduce the production of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by human osteoblasts. This suggests a potential mechanism linking steroid treatment to bone loss.

Area of Science:

  • Bone biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell signaling

Background:

  • Glucocorticoids are a common cause of osteoporosis.
  • Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor are present in bone cells.
  • HGF may play a role in bone metabolism and cell communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if human osteoblasts secrete HGF.
  • To determine if glucocorticoids affect HGF production by osteoblasts.

Main Methods:

  • Human osteoblast-like cells (hOB) were cultured.
  • HGF levels in the culture medium were measured.
  • The effect of hydrocortisone (a glucocorticoid) on HGF release was assessed in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Main Results:

  • Human osteoblasts (hOB) were found to secrete HGF.
  • HGF release increased with cell confluency.
  • Hydrocortisone significantly decreased HGF release from hOB in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal effect at 10(-6) M.
  • Hydrocortisone reduced HGF release by approximately 65% after 16 hours and 52% after 24 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Primary cultured human osteoblasts produce and release HGF.
  • Glucocorticoids inhibit the release of HGF from human osteoblasts.
  • The clinical significance of glucocorticoid-induced HGF reduction in bone metabolism requires further investigation.

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