title: Effects of sex steroids on bones and muscles: Similarities, parallels, and putative interactions in health and disease.
abstract: Estrogens and androgens influence the growth and maintenance of bones and muscles and are responsible for their sexual dimorphism. A decline in their circulating levels leads to loss of mass and functional integrity in both tissues. In the article, we highlight the similarities of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of sex steroids in the two tissues; the commonality of a critical role of mechanical forces on tissue mass and function; emerging evidence for an interplay between mechanical forces and hormonal and growth factor signals in both bones and muscles; as well as the current state of evidence for or against a cross-talk between muscles and bone. In addition, we review evidence for the parallels in the development of osteoporosis and sarcopenia with advancing age and the potential common mechanisms responsible for the age-dependent involution of these two tissues. Lastly, we discuss the striking difference in the availability of several drug therapies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, as compared to none for sarcopenia. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Muscle Bone Interactions".
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA. Electronic address: manolagasstavros@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Stavros C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Manolagas
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens
keywords: Androgens; Bone cells; Estrogens; Muscle fibers; Osteoporosis; Sarcopenia