Osteoporosis in MCHR1-deficient mice.

• It is well recognized that the hypothalamus is of central importance in the regulation of food intake and fat mass. Recent studies indicate that it also plays an important role in the regulation of bone mass. Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) is highly expressed in the hypothalamus and has been implicated in regulation of energy homeostasis. We developed MCHR1 inactivated mice to evaluate the physiological role of this receptor. Interestingly, the MCHR1(-/-) mice have osteoporosis, caused by a reduction in the cortical bone mass, while the amount of trabecular bone is unaffected. The reduction in cortical bone mass is due to decreased cortical thickness. Serum levels of c-telopeptide, a marker of bone resorption, are increased in MCHR1(-/-) mice, indicating that the MCHR1(-/-) mice have a high bone turnover osteoporosis. In conclusion, the MCHR1(-/-) mice have osteoporosis, indicating that MCHR1-signalling is involved in a tonic stimulation of bone mass.

Keyword

Absorptiometry

Photon

Animals

Biological Markers

blood

Bone Density

physiology

Bone Resorption

blood

Collagen

blood

Collagen Type I

Female

Femur

chemistry

pathology

radiography

Gene Components

Gene Expression

Hypothalamic Hormones

metabolism

Male

Melanins

metabolism

Mice

Mice

Inbred C57BL

Mice

Knockout

Osteocalcin

blood

Osteoporosis

blood

genetics

metabolism

Peptides

blood

Pituitary Hormones

metabolism

RNA

Messenger

biosynthesis

Receptors

Pituitary Hormone

deficiency

genetics

physiology

Tissue Distribution

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)