A recent study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology suggests that the relative abundance of certain gut microbes may be related to skeletal health. The findings of the study, if confirmed by future research, could open up new possibilities for improving bone health by manipulating the gut microbiome.
The study, led by researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, focused on the gut microbiomes of participants from the Framingham Third Generation Study and the Osteoporotic fractures in Men (MrOS) study. The researchers used high-resolution imaging to assess bone density and microarchitecture.
The study identified two specific bacteria, Akkermansia and Clostridiales bacterium DTU089, that were associated with negative effects on bone health in older adults. Akkermansia has previously been linked to obesity, while DTU089 has been found to be more abundant in individuals with lower physical activity and protein intake. These findings are significant because low bone density increases the risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures.
Dr. Douglas P. Kiel, one of the principal investigators, explained, “We found patterns in which greater abundance of microbiota were associated with worse measures of bone density and microarchitecture. It is premature to know if the bacterial organisms themselves may have effects on skeletal health, but with additional studies, we might be able to gain insights into the associations between specific intestinal bacterial species and skeletal integrity.”
The researchers hope to identify specific functional pathways influenced by the gut microbiome that could affect skeletal health. They also believe that targeting the gut microbiome could ultimately be a way to influence bone health.
Overall, this study suggests a potential link between the gut microbiome and skeletal health. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the mechanisms behind this relationship.
Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1237727