Hormone Secreted by Bone Marrow Fat Tissue Provides Numerous Health Benefits

Researchers at University of Michigan have found that the hormone adiponectin, secreted by bone marrow fat tissue, provides a number of health benefits, including maintaining insulin sensitivity, breaking down fat and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity-associated cancers.

 

Ormond MacDougald, Ph.D., said that the findings were significant because they have found that bone marrow adipose tissue might have protective role and could influence adaptive functions outside of the bone tissue, at least during calorie restriction. 

The study also found that both marrow adipose tissue and adiponectin increased in humans with anorexia, and in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for ovarian or endometrial cancer. 

William Cawthorn, Ph.D., said that bone marrow adipose tissue traditionally had a bad reputation because of its relationship to decreased bone mass but they now know that adipose tissue within marrow goes beyond the bone and also serves as an endocrine organ that could influence metabolism. 

The research is published in online-ahead-of-print issue of Cell Metabolism. 
 Source:Cell Metabolism.