A collaborative study from the University of Texas and the University of Saskatchewan is looking at potential bone health therapy for people dealing with diabetes and/or blood pressure. Scientists from the USask Colleges of Medicine and Kinesiology and at the Bone-Muscle Research Centre at the University of Texas are exploring whether a a naturally occurring molecule known as HGF which regulates cell growth could lessen the risk of bone fractures.

Researcher Natasha Boyes from the College of Kinesiology explains that HGF was injected into rats and then with the help of the Canadian Light Source, scientists were able to see if it worked. The treatment produced more soluble phosphate in the bone, meaning the bone was changing its own structure. Boyes explains that bones change structure throughout our lives, but the treatment seemed to push the process into overdrive, so this could be a positive or a negative thing. More research is needed before any conclusions can be made.

The Ph.D. candidate cites that between 50 and 85 per cent of diabetic patients also have hypertension and both conditions are linked to higher risk of bone fractures, so they are particularly vulnerable.