Endocrine and Microenvironmental Regulation of the Aging Skeleton

Skeletal aging is characterized by reduced bone formation, increased bone resorption, cortical thinning, trabecular deterioration, impaired mineralization, and delayed fracture healing. These structural and functional changes are tightly regulated by endocrine pathways that govern osteoblast, osteoclast, and osteocyte activity. Age-related alterations in sex steroids, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, growth hormone and IGF-1, and glucocorticoids disrupt bone remodeling dynamics and skeletal microarchitecture. In parallel, intrinsic skeletal mechanisms, including osteocyte dysfunction, cellular senescence, impaired skeletal stem cell differentiation, and changes in bone marrow composition, contribute to fragility. A clearer understanding of how endocrine signals directly shape bone cell function and skeletal integrity during aging is critical for improving prevention and treatment strategies for age-related bone disorders.This Research Topic focuses on the endocrine mechanisms that directly regulate bone remodeling, bone cell function, and skeletal microarchitecture during aging. We welcome basic, translational, and clinical studies that elucidate hormonal control of the aging skeleton; investigate age-dependent changes in bone turnover and quality; and explore endocrine-based interventions to preserve skeletal strength and reduce fracture risk in older populations. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:• Hormonal regulation of bone remodeling and skeletal cell function in aging• Endocrine drivers of bone loss, microarchitectural deterioration, and fragility• Bone marrow, osteocyte, and skeletal stem cell changes during aging• Interactions between systemic metabolism and skeletal health in older adults• Endocrine-targeted strategies to prevent or treat age-related bone disorders Topic editors: Parveez Ahamed Abdul Azees, Milos Marinkovic, Sandeep Kumar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80645/endocrine-and-microenvironmental-regulation-of-the-aging-skeleton