| In recent years, molecular signaling pathways related to bone metabolism has become a hot topic. Studies have revealed that signaling pathways associated with osteoporosis include Wnt/β-catenin, RANKL/RANK/OPG, NF-κB, PPAR-γ, PTH, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathways. However, there has been no study concentrated on ERα-AMPK-Sirt1 signaling pathway. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin 1(Sirt1) can regulate the function of osteoblast or osteoclast by ligand binding, phosphorylation and deacetylation, respectively. Studies have indicated that ERα can directly increase the activity of LKB1, while LKB1 is the most important upstream protein kinase of AMPK, as a result, AMPK is activated. In addition, the mutual promotion of AMPK and Sirt1 can also modulate the autophagy or apoptosis of osteoblast; all these suggested that ERα-AMPK-Sirt1 signaling pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. To sum up, it is necessary to start the research of ERα-AMPK-Sirt1 signaling pathway in order to better guide the development of new drugs and clinical practice. |