The Bone's Role in Fat and Energy Management

The bone is a lot more than just a support structure. It's also a player in the body's energy game. It can influence how fat is made and how energy is managed throughout the body. This is all thanks to certain factors that the bone releases. One of these factors is KIAA1199. It's a substance made by bone and bone marrow. It has been known to slow down bone formation. But now, it turns out that KIAA1199 also has a say in how fat is created. This is a big deal. It shows that what happens in the bone can affect what happens in the rest of the body. Especially when it comes to fat and energy. To understand this better, let's look at some mice. These mice are missing KIAA1199. They have less fat in their bone marrow, under their skin, and around their organs. They also have lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and glycerol in their blood. Plus, their muscles, liver, and fat tissue respond better to insulin. This is a good thing. It means they are less likely to become obese or develop diabetes. Even when they eat a high-fat diet, they stay healthier. They have less inflammation in their fat tissue, better control of their blood sugar, and less fat in their liver. But what about humans? Well, it turns out that the more KIAA1199 is in the blood or fat tissue, the worse the insulin resistance. This means that people with higher levels of KIAA1199 might have a harder time managing their blood sugar. They might also have higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, glycerol, and fasting glucose. So, how does KIAA1199 do all this? It works through a complex system of signals. It involves things like osteopontin, integrin, and pathways called AKT and ERK. These signals help to control how fat is made. This is a big step forward in understanding how the bone, fat, and energy are all connected. All of this shows that the bone is a key player in the body's energy management system. It's not just about supporting the body. It's about keeping the body in balance. This is important to remember. The body is a complex system. Everything is connected. What happens in one part can affect the rest. This is true for the bone and fat. It's true for many other things too.