Bone remodeling is a physiologic process regulated by the interaction between the bone cells and a variety of hormones, cytokines, growth factors and inflammatory mediators. The central nervous system (CNS) has been proposed as a new regulatory element, acting through the release of neuronal messengers, which create a link between CNS and skeleton. There have been experimental and clinical evidence of neuroendocrine control of bone mass, with several factors implicated in this mechanism, including neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, leptin and others. Clinically, participation of neuroendocrine mechanisms comes from observation of bone loss in hypothalamic-pituitary disorders. More recently, leptin deficiency and leptin resistance have also been involved with bone metabolism. New studies are necessary to improve our knowledge on the relationships between these two important systems, and to establish if there is a local or systemic participation of the neuroendocrine system in bone metabolism.
Bone metabolism; Leptin; Growth hormone; Neurotransmitters; Neuropeptides