# Osteoporosis and gut microbiota: current understandings

## TL;DR

This review explores how gut bacteria affect bone health and how targeting the gut microbiota could help manage osteoporosis.

## Contribution

The paper summarizes recent insights into gut microbiota's role in osteoporosis and highlights potential microbiota-targeted interventions.

## Key findings

- Harmful gut bacteria worsen osteoporosis, while probiotics support bone health.
- Gut microbiota influences bone metabolism through metabolites, intestinal immunity, and barrier function.
- Targeting gut microbiota shows promise for osteoporosis intervention and management.

## Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP), a prevalent disease among middle-aged and elderly individuals, is characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), which predisposes individuals to fragile fractures. The core pathological process involves excessive bone resorption over bone formation. The etiology of OP is intricate, and increasing recent studies have focused on the role of gut microbiota (GM) in its pathogenesis. Harmful bacteria exacerbate OP, whereas probiotics are beneficial for bone metabolism and delay the progression of OP. GM influences the progression of OP through various mechanisms, including the production of metabolites, modulation of the intestinal barrier, and regulation of intestinal immunity and osteoimmunology. In this review, we summarize the role of GM in the pathogenesis of OP based on the latest understandings, and highlight the promising potential of strategies targeting GM for the intervention and management of OP.