Alterations in the Microbiome Are Associated with Changes in Bone Quality

Moreover, the changes in splenic immune cell populations in the treated mice suggested to the researchers an association between alteration in bone tissue material properties and immune cell populations. “We consider the effects of the microbiota on the immune system to be a likely explanation for the differences in bone tissue material properties in the current study,” write the authors in their discussion. “Disruption of the gut microbiota with antibiotics reduced CD20+ B and CD3+ T cell populations and was correlated with reduced whole bone strength. Similarly, untreated TLR5KO mice also had reduced CD20+ B and CD3+ T cell populations.”

Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.

Reference

1. Guss JD, Horsfield MW, Fontenele FF, et al. Alterations to the gut microbiome impair bone strength and tissue material properties. J Bone Miner Res. 2017 Feb 27. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.3114. [Epub ahead of print]