HPA axis participates in the osteoporosis symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered as an independent risk factor of osteoporosis, which reveals a common pathology within the two disorders. The dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which has been frequently reported in PD patients. The overactivated HPA axis is also considered as a key reason of bone loss induced by chronic stress, as well as glucocorticoid treatment of disorders including autoimmune, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, the HPA axis overactivation in PD probably participates in the osteoporosis symptoms of PD, by elevating steroid hormone levels, suppressing parathyroid function, and affecting sympathetic nervous system, which all leads to decreased plasma calcium levels and increased bone loss. The role of HPA axis participating in the coexistence of PD and osteoporosis may provide insights and targets for the treatment of PD patients in clinical practice.

Keywords

• parkinson's disease
• osteoporosis
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• parathyroid
• sympathetic nerve