Probiotic supplements 'could help prevent menopause-associated bone loss'

Bone loss associated with the menopause could potentially be addressed through the use of probiotic supplements.This is according to new research from the Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia State University in the US, which conducted an experiment with mice and discovered evidence that probiotic bacteria may have potential as an affordable treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.Encouraging results The study involved the use of mice that had had their ovaries removed, meaning the animals underwent the same hormonal changes that occur when women reach the menopause.It was shown that the resulting loss of oestrogen caused an increase in the permeability of the gut, allowing bacterial products to activate immune cells in the intestine. This, in turn, caused immune cells release signals that break down bone.Findings published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation indicated that probiotics were able prevent these effects and dampen the inflammatory signals driving the immune cells. Mice that were not treated with probiotic bacteria lost half of their bone density a month after ovary removal, whereas the bone density in probiotic-treated mice stayed the same.The need for further research The findings indicate that many of the probiotic bacteria found in yoghurt products could therefore be useful in helping older women avoid bone diseases.However, further clinical studies will be needed to determine the degree to which these findings can be applied to humans.The st...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news