[Bone metabolism in metabolic syndrome and its treatment]

Metabolic syndrome has recently been identified to be involved in the development of multiple diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (or glucose intolerance), dyslipidemia and hypertension. Its principal features are obesity and insulin resistance. Bone metabolism is a complex process that is regulated by complicated local and systemic factors. Recent investigations demonstrate an involvement of sympathetic nervous system and glucose and lipid metabolism in bone metabolism. Obesity and insulin resistance may favor bone dynamics, whereas diabetes and dyslipidemia may not. More importantly, various drugs for these disorders have been reported to have beneficial effects on bone health. On clinical situation to manage metabolic syndrome, physicians may want to evaluate outcome of their practice for bone metabolism.