Mechanisms involved in altered bone metabolism in diabetes: a narrative review

Abstract

Many studies have shown that change in metabolism caused by diabetes can influence the bone metabolism in a way that quality and strength of bone is decreased. A 6 times and 2 times increased risk of fracture is reported in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively. There are several mechanisms by which diabetes can affect the bone. The fact that some of these mechanisms are acting in opposite ways opens the door for debate on pathways by which diabetes affects the bones. On the other hand, bone is not a simple organ that only get influence from other organs, but it is an endocrine organ that by secreting the agents such as osteocalcin, adiponectin and visfatin which can affect the insulin sensitivity and metabolism. In this paper we tried to briefly assess the latest finding in this matter.