How natural steroid hormones affect bones and muscles as we age
Endogenous steroid hormones as mediators of interorgan communication with the musculoskeletal system
Researchers are looking at how the body's own steroid hormones change bone and muscle health in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264768 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses laboratory and animal experiments to see how hormones made by the adrenal glands influence bone, muscle, and bone marrow fat during aging. Scientists manipulate hormone receptors and local conversion enzymes in bone cells of mice and compare those findings to known patterns in older humans. The team is exploring whether actions through the mineralocorticoid receptor, rather than the glucocorticoid receptor, drive unexpected bone loss and marrow fat accumulation. Findings aim to link basic hormone biology to changes in the aging skeleton that could guide future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with age-related bone loss or osteoporosis, or people willing to provide clinical samples for translational research, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Young healthy people without age-related bone changes or those whose bone loss is caused only by high-dose prescription steroids may not see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new hormone-related targets to prevent or treat age-related bone loss and excess bone marrow fat.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show glucocorticoids influence bone, but the idea that the mineralocorticoid receptor drives accelerated skeletal aging is novel and only preliminarily tested in preclinical models.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgee-Lawrence, Meghan E. — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Mcgee-Lawrence, Meghan E.
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.