Reducing iron accumulation: A potential approach for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a systemic bone metabolism disease, characterized by progressive bone loss following menopause and a subsequent increase in fracture risk. Estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause is known to increase bone resorption and accelerate bone loss. Furthermore, postmenopausal women may exhibit iron accumulation, in addition to estrogen deficiency. Elevated iron levels are a risk factor for PMOP in postmenopausal women, and reducing the iron overload has been demonstrated to benefit bone cell metabolism in vitro and improve the bone in vivo by normalizing osteoclastic bone resorption and formation. The identification of hepcidin was a key development in the field of iron metabolism in the previous decade. We hypothesize that hepcidin may aid in the prevention and treatment of PMOP due to its capacity to control body iron stores and its intrinsic effects on osteoblast function. The aim of the current review was to highlight the role of iron accumulation in the pathogenesis of PMOP and to evaluate the possible use of hepcidin as a potential therapy for this condition.