Gut Microbiome and Bone

Publication date: Available online 11 April 2018 Source:Joint Bone Spine Author(s): Lidia Ibáñez, Matthieu Rouleau, Abdelilah Wakkach, Claudine Blin-Wakkach The gut microbiome is now viewed as a tissue that interacts bidirectionally with the gastrointestinal, immune, endocrine, and nervous systems, affecting the cellular responses in numerous organs. Evidence is accumulating of gut microbiome involvement in a growing number of pathophysiological processes, many of which are linked to inflammatory responses. More specifically, data acquired over the last decade point to effects of the gut microbiome on bone mass regulation and on the development of bone diseases (such as osteoporosis) and of inflammatory joint diseases characterized by bone loss. Mice lacking a gut microbiome have bone mass abnormalities that can be reversed by gut recolonization. Changes in gut microbiome composition have been reported in mice with estrogen-deficiency osteoporosis and have also been found in a few studies in humans. Probiotic therapy decreases bone loss in estrogen-deficient animals. The effect of the gut microbiome on bone tissue involves complex mechanisms including modulation of CD4+T-cell activation, control of osteoclastogenic cytokine production, and modifications in hormone levels. This complexity may contribute to explain the discrepancies across study results depending on age, gender, genetic background, and treatment duration. Further elucidation of the mechanisms involved i...
Source: Joint Bone Spine - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research