Association Between Gut Microbiota and Bone Health: Potential Mechanisms and Prospective
Year: 2017
Type: review
Abstract: Context: It 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 Acquisition: In 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 Synthesis: We 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. Conclusion: Current 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.
Language: English
Topic: Gut microbiota and health
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Tulane University, National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Scholarship Council, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Awards: G1075956222, Integration of brain imaging with genomic and epigenomic data, Genomic Convergence for Female Osteoporosis Risk Genes, Epigenomewide DNA Methylation Study for Osteoporosis Risk, G4616687909, Decoding Methylation Mediated Epigenomic Contributions to Male Osteoporosis, Integration of multiscale genomic data for comprehensive analysis of complex dise, Identification of Proteins Important for Male Osteoporosis, Tulane COBRE for Clinical and Translational Research in Cardiometabolic Diseases, Trans-omics Integration of Multi-omics Studies for Osteoporosis
OpenAlex ID: W2736782317