More than 10 million Americans, older than 50, suffer from Osteoporosis. Recent study showed that bone growth is controlled in the gut through serotonin, a naturally present chemical used by the brain to influence mood appetite and sleep.

The research done by Dr. Gerard Karsenty, Chairman of the department of genetics and development and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. The team links serotonin produced in the duodenum to the proliferation of osteoblasts, which are cells that create new bone.

Study of Lrp5, a gene that regulates bone formation revealed connection between serotonin and bone density. Study showed that in mice the gene that regulates bone formation controls serotonin production in the gut. The discovery lead to the hypothesis of a connection among Lrp5, its associated bone disease and serotonin produced in the gut.

During the study, researchers used transgenic mice to show that inactivating Lrp5 caused severe osteoporosis while overactivating Lrp5 led to higher bone mass.

The mechanism through which gut serotonin controls bone formation is simple: serotonin made by the gut is released into the blood, and the more serotonin that reaches bone, the more bone is lost; the less serotonin, the denser and stronger bones become.

Dr. Karsenty said: “The findings demonstrate without a doubt that serotonin from the gut is acting as a hormone to regulate bone mass.”

Dr. Karsenty said that he hopes to find a new drug that depresses the gut’s serotonin synthesis and stimulates bone growth in these patients.

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