There’s growing evidence that a relative abundance of certain gut microbes could also be related to skeletal health, in accordance with a latest study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology. If confirmed by additional research, the findings could provide the chance to change gut microbiomes to attain higher bone health, as scientists learn more about “osteomicrobiology,” a latest term recently used to characterize this relationship.

Resulting from the dearth of large-scale human studies of the gut microbiome and skeletal health, researchers led by Paul C. Okoro, Data Scientist II at Hebrew SeniorLife and Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and principal investigator Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Scientist on the Marcus Institute, conducted an observational study based on the Framingham Third Generation Study of men and girls, and the Osteoporotic fractures in Men (MrOS) study of older men to find out whether or not they could discover a potentially modifiable factor contributing to skeletal health. The study used high-resolution imaging of the arm and leg.

This is important because low bone density increases the danger of developing osteoporosis, affecting greater than 10 million Americans over the age of fifty, and may increase the danger of fractures.

Entitled “A Two-Cohort Study on the Association between the Gut Microbiota and Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Strength,” the study found that bacteria called Akkermansia, which has been related to obesity, and Clostridiales bacterium DTU089, had negative associations with bone health for older adults. DTU089, a bacterium from the category, Clostridia, has been described to be more abundant in individuals with lower physical activity, and lower protein intake, and might be significant because prior studies have found protein intake and physical activity have a definite connection to skeletal health.

We found patterns during which greater abundance of microbiota were related to worse measures of bone density and microarchitecture. Actually, some bacteria were related to differences within the bone cross sectional area, suggesting the likelihood that certain microbes could influence how the bone changes size with aging. It’s premature to know if the bacterial organisms themselves may affect skeletal health. With additional studies we would have the ability to achieve insights regarding associations between specific bacterial species within the intestine and skeletal integrity. We also hope to discover specific functional pathways influenced by the bacteria that might influence the skeleton. For instance, some bacteria can result in low levels of inflammation which will affect bone health. Ultimately, if findings like this are confirmed, we may have the ability to focus on the gut microbiome to influence skeletal health.”

Dr. Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Scientist on the Marcus Institute

Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Sciences University, BIDMC, Minneapolis and Palo Alto VA Health Care System, University of Minnesota, University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, and Emory University collaborated on this retrospective cohort study.

Source:

Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Journal reference:

Okoro, P. C., et al. (2023) A two-cohort study on the association between the gut microbiota and bone density, microarchitecture, and strength. Frontiers in Endocrinology. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1237727.