Does Calcitonin Stimulate Osteoclast Activity?

Calcitonin is involved in helping to regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood, opposing the action of parathyroid hormone. ... Calcitonin reduces calcium levels in the blood by two main mechanisms: It inhibits the activity of osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for breaking down bone.

Does calcitonin increase osteoclast activity?

Calcitonin opposes the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which acts to increase the blood calcium level. Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels by suppressing osteoclast activity in the bones and increasing the amount of calcium excreted in the urine.

What does calcitonin do to osteoclasts?

Calcitonin, a calcium regulatory hormone, strongly inhibits bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts. The calcitonin-induced inhibition of osteoclast function is believed to be due to disruption of cytoskeletal organization (distraction of actin rings) and disappearance of the cellular polarity of osteoclasts.