A team of researchers have uncovered a hormone that keeps nursing mothers’ bones strong, even as they lose calcium to produce milk. This finding could open new doors to treating osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Researchers at the University of California studied mice and human cells. They discovered a hormone called CCN3, dubbed the “Maternal Brain Hormone.” This hormone is produced in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls hormone production.
Osteoporosis affects many people, especially women over 50. This disease weakens bones, making them more likely to break. Usually, the hormone estrogen helps maintain bone mass, but its levels drop during menopause and breastfeeding, putting women at higher risk of osteoporosis.
Why don’t breastfeeding women suffer from osteoporosis as much as others with low estrogen? Until recently, this question puzzled scientists. Despite the drop in estrogen, nursing mothers maintain strong bones. How is this possible?
Hormone Function
CCN3 is produced in neurons near leaky regions of the brain, known as fenestrae, which allow hormones to move in and out of the brain.
During lactation, CCN3 enters the bloodstream to ensure enough bone formation, even as the body’s calcium is used to produce milk. This hormone acts on skeletal stem cells, promoting the formation of strong bones and helping to maintain bone health during lactation.
Experiments with Mice
The researchers conducted several experiments to understand the effects of CCN3 on bone health. When CCN3 was administered to control mice, it significantly improved bone density.
This was observed in young and old female mice, females without estrogen, and even male mice.
- Fracture Repair:
Researchers created a special hydrogel patch that could be applied directly to the site of a bone fracture. This patch slowly released CCN3 over two weeks, promoting the formation of new bone at the fracture site.
The result was faster and more effective healing, even in elderly mice whose fractures typically do not heal well.
- Bone Mass Increase:
CCN3 was able to more than double bone mass in some female mice who were very old or lacked estrogen entirely. This indicates that CCN3 has a powerful effect on bone formation, regardless of the presence of estrogen, which is usually critical for bone health in females.
- Anabolic Effects:
In human bone stem cells, CCN3 showed anabolic properties, meaning it promoted the creation of new bone tissue. The hormone increased mineralization, or osteogenesis, which is the process by which new bone is formed.
- Stem Cell Activation:
The researchers found that when bone stem cells were exposed to CCN3, they were much more likely to generate new bone cells. This discovery suggests that CCN3 can directly stimulate the cells responsible for building bone, making it a potent factor in bone regeneration and repair.
These findings demonstrate the remarkable potential of CCN3 to not only maintain bone health during lactation but also to serve as a powerful tool in treating various bone-related conditions like osteoporosis.
Impact on Osteoporosis and Other Conditions
The discovery of CCN3 offers promising potential for treating osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions. Osteoporosis, common in post-menopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels, could be mitigated by CCN3, which helps maintain bone health and reduce fracture risks.
This hormone may also benefit breast cancer survivors on hormone blockers, elite female athletes with reduced estrogen levels, and older men suffering from bone loss.
CCN3’s potential applications extend to treating genetic disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta, aiding in cartilage regeneration, and improving the success of dental implants. Further research into CCN3’s effects in humans could revolutionize treatments for various bone-related conditions.
The discovery of CCN3, the Maternal Brain Hormone, is a great example of how science can lead to amazing breakthroughs. This hormone not only explains the mystery of why breastfeeding mothers have strong bones but also gives us new ways to treat osteoporosis and other bone problems.
Featured image credit: Vistacreate / Live science
