Cited by 199Bone health and osteoporosis researchSpaceflight effects on biologyBone Metabolism and Diseases

Influence of body weight on bone mass, architecture and turnover

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Iwaniec, Urszula T, Turner, Russell T·2016·Journal of Endocrinology

Abstract

Weight-dependent loading of the skeleton plays an important role in establishing and maintaining bone mass and strength. This review focuses on mechanical signaling induced by body weight as an essential mechanism for maintaining bone health. In addition, the skeletal effects of deviation from normal weight are discussed. The magnitude of mechanical strain experienced by bone during normal activities is remarkably similar among vertebrates, regardless of size, supporting the existence of a conserved regulatory mechanism, or mechanostat, that senses mechanical strain. The mechanostat functions as an adaptive mechanism to optimize bone mass and architecture based on prevailing mechanical strain. Changes in weight, due to altered mass, weightlessness (spaceflight), and hypergravity (modeled by centrifugation), induce an adaptive skeletal response. However, the precise mechanisms governing the skeletal response are incompletely understood. Furthermore, establishing whether the adaptive response maintains the mechanical competence of the skeleton has proven difficult, necessitating the development of surrogate measures of bone quality. The mechanostat is influenced by regulatory inputs to facilitate non-mechanical functions of the skeleton, such as mineral homeostasis, as well as hormones and energy/nutrient availability that support bone metabolism. Although the skeleton is very capable of adapting to changes in weight, the mechanostat has limits. At the limits, extreme deviations from normal weight and body composition are associated with impaired optimization of bone strength to prevailing body size.

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  1. Ahima RS Flier JS 2000 Leptin Annual Review of Physiology 62 413 437 10845097

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Authors
Iwaniec, U. T., & Turner, R. T.
Affiliations
Oregon State University (US)
Corresponding author
Iwaniec, Urszula T
Venue
Journal of Endocrinology
Published
2016-09
Volume
230
Issue
3
Pages
R115-R130
ISSN
  • 0022-0795 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-6805
OpenAlex
W2473616902
Cited by
199
References
157
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 4
FWCI
3.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NNX12AL24)
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01AR060913)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
Keywords
body weight, bone mass, bone structure, bone turnover, mechanostat, mechanical strain, microgravity, hypergravity, bone quality, bone mineral homeostasis, bone metabolism, energy availability, bone strength, body composition
MeSH terms
Animals, Body Weight, Bone and Bones, Humans, Osteoporosis, Bone Density, Bone Remodeling

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