FSH, Bone Mass, Body Fat, and Biological Aging.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2018

Institution/Department

Maine Medical Center Research Institute

Journal Title

Endocrinology

MeSH Headings

Adipose Tissue, Aging, Body Mass Index, Bone Density, Bone and Bones, Estrogens, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Humans, Osteoporosis

Abstract

The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation has taught us that impending ovarian failure during late perimenopause is associated with a sharp rise in serum FSH, which coincides with the most rapid rate of bone loss and the onset of visceral adiposity. At this time in a woman's life, serum estrogen levels are largely unaltered, so the hypothesis that hypoestrogenemia is the sole cause of bone loss and visceral obesity does not offer a full explanation. An alternative explanation, arising from animal models and human data, is that both physiologic aberrations, obesity and osteoporosis, arise at least in part from rising FSH levels. Here, we discuss recent findings on the mechanism through which FSH exerts biological actions on bone and fat and review clinical data that support a role for FSH in causing osteoporosis and obesity. We will also provide a conceptual framework for using a single anti-FSH agent to prevent and treat both osteoporosis and obesity in women across the menopausal transition.

ISSN

1945-7170

First Page

3503

Last Page

3514

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