How Fat Cells Fuel Bone Growth
Bone-Adipose Interactions During Skeletal Anabolism
This research explores how fat tissue provides energy for building new bone, especially when bones are stimulated by hormones or exercise.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11111392 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies need a lot of energy to build strong bones, and this research looks at whether fat cells supply that energy. We want to understand if the fatty acids released from fat tissue are crucial for bone growth, particularly when bones are stimulated by treatments like parathyroid hormone or physical activity. We will use special mouse models to observe what happens to bone formation when fat cells cannot release fatty acids or when bone cells cannot use them properly. This work aims to uncover the body's natural ways of keeping bones healthy and how conditions like obesity might interfere with bone building.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who might benefit from future applications of this research include those with conditions affecting bone density, such as osteoporosis, or individuals with metabolic disorders like obesity that impact bone health.
Not a fit: Patients without bone density issues or metabolic dysfunction may not directly benefit from the immediate findings of this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to improve bone health and treat conditions like osteoporosis, especially in people with metabolic issues.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concepts of bone and fat metabolism are known, this specific investigation into the direct energy transfer from adipose to osteoblasts during anabolism is a novel and detailed approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riddle, Ryan C — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Riddle, Ryan C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.