Intestinal Microbiota: a Potential Target for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Overview

Journal Bone Res

Specialties Endocrinology
Orthopedics

Date 2017 Oct 7

PMID 28983411

Citations 81

Authors

Xin Xu

Xiaoyue Jia

Longyi Mo

Chengcheng Liu

Liwei Zheng

Quan Yuan

Xuedong Zhou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a prevalent metabolic bone disease characterized by bone loss and structural destruction, which increases the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women. Owing to the high morbidity and serious complications of PMO, many efforts have been devoted to its prophylaxis and treatment. The intestinal microbiota is the complex community of microorganisms colonizing the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics, which are dietary or medical supplements consisting of beneficial intestinal bacteria, work in concert with endogenous intestinal microorganisms to maintain host health. Recent studies have revealed that bone loss in PMO is closely related to host immunity, which is influenced by the intestinal microbiota. The curative effects of probiotics on metabolic bone diseases have also been demonstrated. The effects of the intestinal microbiota on bone metabolism suggest a promising target for PMO management. This review seeks to summarize the critical effects of the intestinal microbiota and probiotics on PMO, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic relationship between bacteria and host, and to define the possible treatment options.

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