Association Between Gut Microbiota and Bone Health: Potential Mechanisms and Prospective

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 102; no. 10; pp. 3635 - 3646
• Main Authors: Chen, Yuan-Cheng, Greenbaum, Jonathan, Shen, Hui, Deng, Hong-Wen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Endocrine Society 01.10.2017; Copyright Oxford University Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal models; Animal research; Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone mass; Bone Resorption - microbiology; Bone turnover; Digestive system; Excretion; Exploration; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Gastrointestinal tract; Germ-Free Life; Health; Humans; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Metabolism; Metagenomics; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Mucosal immunity; Osteoporosis; Prebiotics; Probiotics - pharmacology; Reviews; Studies
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-00513

ContextIt has been well established that the human gut microbiome plays a critical role in the regulation of important biological processes and the mechanisms underlying numerous complex diseases. Although researchers have only recently begun to study the relationship between the gut microbiota and bone metabolism, early efforts have provided increased evidence to suggest an important association.Evidence AcquisitionIn this study, we attempt to comprehensively summarize the relationship between the gut microbiota and bone metabolism by detailing the regulatory effects of the microbiome on various biological processes, including nutrient absorption and the intestinal mucosal barrier, immune system functionality, the gut–brain axis, and excretion of functional byproducts. In this review, we incorporate evidence from various types of studies, including observational, in vitro and in vivo animal experiments, as well as small efficacy clinic trails.Evidence SynthesisWe review the various potential mechanisms of influence for the gut microbiota on the regulation of bone metabolism and discuss the importance of further examining the potential effects of the gut microbiota on the risk of osteoporosis in humans. Furthermore, we outline some useful tools/approaches for metagenomics research and present some prominent examples of metagenomics association studies in humans.ConclusionCurrent research efforts, although limited, clearly indicate that the gut microbiota may be implicated in bone metabolism, and therefore, further exploration of this relationship is a promising area of focus in bone health and osteoporosis research. Although most existing studies investigate this relationship using animal models, human studies are both needed and on the horizon.We summarized potential mechanisms of gut microbiota on regulation of bone mass, outlined some useful tools for metagenomics, and presented examples of metagenome-wide association studies.