Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hormones and Bone Tissue

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...

Bone Remodeling

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Osteoporosis associated with pregnancy and lactation (PLO): can REMS have a role in prevention and follow-up?

Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism case reports·2026

Same author

Across Clinical Profiles of Cardiorenal-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome: A Phenotype-Driven Therapeutic Approach.

Biomedicines·2026

Same author

Metabolomic profile differs between LADA and type 1 diabetes identifying tryptophan metabolism as a pathway involved in the heterogeneity of autoimmune diabetes.

Diabetologia·2026

Same author

Plasma small RNA profiling reveals a three-miRNA signature associated with early beta cell dysfunction across glucose tolerance stages.

Diabetologia·2026

Same author

Endocrine-related osteoporosis: the state of the art.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2026

Same author

From disease heterogeneity to precision therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Endocrine·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Endocrine actions of osteocalcin.

Aurora Patti¹, Luigi Gennari, Daniela Merlotti

¹Department of Clinical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.

International Journal of Endocrinology

|June 6, 2013

Summary

Osteocalcin, a bone protein, may act as a hormone. Research suggests its undercarboxylated form improves glucose regulation and fat metabolism, with potential benefits for metabolic disorders.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Endocrinology
Metabolic Research

Background:

Osteocalcin is the primary noncollagenous bone matrix protein.
Posttranslational carboxylation is crucial for osteocalcin's bone matrix function.
Emerging evidence suggests osteocalcin has systemic endocrine functions.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the potential endocrine role of osteocalcin.
To investigate the effects of osteocalcin on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and body fat.
To examine osteocalcin's influence on testosterone production and physical activity responses.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental data from mouse models.
Analysis of human cohort data (partially confirmed).
Observation of osteocalcin levels post-physical activity.

Main Results:

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin enhances insulin secretion and sensitivity in mice.
Osteocalcin influences glucose levels and visceral fat reduction in experimental models.
Physical activity elevates osteocalcin levels, potentially improving glucose tolerance.

Conclusions:

Osteocalcin exhibits potential endocrine functions impacting metabolic health.
Further human studies are required to confirm these effects in diverse populations, including those with metabolic disorders.
Osteocalcin's role in testosterone production warrants additional investigation.