Obesity and osteoporosis-connections between adipose tissue and bone

Abstract

The adipose and osseous tissue, although both derived from the connective tissues, perform different functions. In the common opinion, obesity might be a protective factor against bone loss and osteoporosis. The adipose tissue is a recognized major endocrine organ, producing a number of active biological substances, which affect the bone mass. Adipocyte and osteoblast are derived from the same mesenchymal stem cells. Therefore abnormal secretion of adipocytokines may play an important role not only in pathogenesis of the obesity, but also can influence the bone . It is supposed that obesity might have a protective effect on bone tissue in postmenopausal women, by increasing the load on the axial skeleton and because of its hormonal activity.