What spaceflight reveals about nerves and bone recovery
Mechanical loading is important for maintaining bone mass, and researchers from Science Tokyo have found that sensory nerves inside the bone play a key role in this process. In mice, sensory nerve abundance changed in response to mechanical unloading and reloading, and removing these nerves prevented bone recovery. The findings reveal a link between mechanical loading, sensory nerves and bone…
Researchers from Science Tokyo have discovered that sensory nerves within bones play a crucial role in bone recovery and maintenance. When mechanical loading, such as gravity-induced weight-bearing, decreases, these nerves change and can prevent effective bone recovery. This discovery was made through experiments on mice, both in microgravity conditions aboard the International Space Station and in ground-based models that simulate reduced mechanical loading due to factors like bed rest or long-term space travel.
The study, published in the journal Bone Research, suggests that sensory nerves release signaling molecules called neuropeptides that interact with bone cells to influence bone metabolism. When these neuropeptides were administered to mice during a simulated unloading phase, they helped maintain bone health and prevented significant loss of trabecular bone, a type of spongy bone tissue.
Moreover, removing sensory nerves through surgery or genetic techniques hindered the normal recovery of trabecular bone after mechanical loading was restored, indicating their importance in the bone remodeling process. The findings highlight the need for therapies targeting sensory nerves as a potential strategy for preventing or treating bone loss associated with reduced mechanical loading, a common issue in conditions like osteoporosis and a concern for astronauts during long-duration space missions.
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