1,25(OH)(2)D-3 ameliorates palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in human primary osteoblasts leading to improved viability and function

Abstract

Contributing to bone loss with aging is a progressive reduction in osteoblast number and function leading to decreased bone formation. In aging bone, mesenchymal stem cells decrease in number and their differentiation potential into osteoblasts is reduced. Instead, there is a shift towards adipogenic differentiation and increased lipid accumulation in the marrow of osteoporotic bones. Bone marrow adipocytes produce palmitic acid (PA), a saturated fatty acid, which is toxic to osteoblasts in vitro. Vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) stimulates osteoblastogenesis and has known anti-apoptotic effects on osteoblasts, as such it may protect human primary osteoblasts from PA-induced lipotoxicity. Here, the e..