From the gut to the strut: where inflammation reigns, bone abstains.
In this issue of the JCI, Li et al. show that germ-free mice, when chemically castrated, do not lose bone - a finding that unequivocally establishes a role of gut microbiota in mediating hypogonadal bone loss. Additionally and not unexpectedly, probiotics reversed hypogonadal osteopenia in sex steroid-deficient mice by preventing the disruption of gut barrier function and dampening cytokine-induced inflammation. The authors propose that TNFα is a key mediator; however, it is very likely that other molecules - including IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, RANKL, OPG, and CCL2 - modulate probiotic action. The results of this study highlight the potential for repurposing probiotics for the therapy of osteoporosis. Future placebo-controlled clinical trials will be required to establish safety and efficacy of probiotics in reducing fracture risk in people.
Jameel
J
Iqbal
Tony
T
Yuen
Li
L
Sun
Mone
M
Zaidi
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones; D007249:Inflammation; D007375:Interleukin-1; D020381:Interleukin-17; D051379:Mice; D019936:Probiotics
D007375:Interleukin-1; D020381:Interleukin-17